Hornell, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 178 § 178-29
Electrical
Operative Text
A. General requirements. (1) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be installed in conformity with generally accepted standards and maintained so as not to be a potential source of ignition of combustible material or a potential source of electrical hazard. (2) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted. (3) Electrical wiring and equipment installed in damp or wet locations or where exposed to explosive or flammable gases or to excessive temperatures shall be of a type approved for the purpose and location. (4) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be protected against excessive current by properly rated overcurrent devices. (5) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be grounded or otherwise protected by insulation, isolation or guarding so as to minimize the danger of high voltages from lightning or other causes. (6) Electrical equipment which, in ordinary operation, produces arcs or sparks shall be enclosed unless separated and isolated from all combustible material. (7) Service equipment and overcurrent protection devices shall be installed and maintained in a readily accessible location. B. Artificial lighting. (1) Residential buildings and occupancies shall be wired for electricity, and lighting equipment shall be installed throughout to provide adequate illumination for the intended use of each space. Electric wiring systems shall be connected to an adequate source of supply. (2) There shall be a switch or other means for controlling a light in each dwelling unit near the point of entrance to such unit. C. Exit and directional signs. (1) Exits in multiple dwellings shall be provided with exit and directional signs visible from the approach to the exits, except that such signs shall not be required in those portions of a building which contain dwelling units only or in which exits from sleeping rooms are directly to the outside. (2) Directional signs shall be provided at locations from which the exit doorway is not readily discernible. (3) Such signs shall be worded in plainly legible block letters with the word EXIT for exit signs and the words TO EXIT, with a suitable pointer or arrow indicating the direction of exit, for directional signs. Letters for signs shall be conspicuous, readily discernible and at least six inches high, except that, for internally illuminated signs, the height of such letters shall be at least 4 1/2 inches high. (4) Exit and directional signs shall be illuminated either externally or internally by electric lights and shall be kept illuminated at all times when the building is occupied.
Section 178-29 of Hornell's Code of Ordinances establishes comprehensive electrical safety standards for residential buildings, covering wiring installation, lighting, and exit signage. The rule requires that all electrical wiring and equipment be safely installed, properly grounded, protected from overcurrent, and accessible for service. It also mandates that dwelling units have adequate artificial lighting with entrance-area switches, and that multi-family buildings maintain illuminated exit and directional signs whenever the building is occupied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 178-29, compliant property operators ensure that all electrical wiring and equipment is installed to accepted standards, firmly secured, properly grounded, and protected by appropriately rated overcurrent devices. Service panels and overcurrent protection must be kept in readily accessible locations, and any equipment that produces arcs or sparks must be enclosed or isolated from combustible materials. Operators of multiple dwellings also maintain illuminated exit and directional signs at all times when the building is occupied, and confirm that each dwelling unit has a light switch near its entrance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 178-29 gives tenants in Hornell the right to housing with safe, code-compliant electrical systems, adequate lighting in all spaces, and properly illuminated exit signage in multi-family buildings. If wiring appears unsafe, lighting is inadequate, or exit signs are missing or unlit, these conditions may constitute violations of this provision. Tenants can document the conditions, notify the landlord in writing, and contact the local code enforcement or housing inspection office to request an inspection; tenant-rights organizations can also help explain available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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