Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-22
General requirements
Operative Text
A. Plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilating, air-conditioning, refrigerating, cooking, fire-protection and radiation-production equipment, elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators and other mechanical additions, installations or systems for the use of the building shall be installed, located and maintained so that, under normal conditions of use, such equipment and systems will not be a danger to health or welfare, a danger because of structural defects or a source of ignition or a radiation hazard and will not create excessive noise or otherwise become a nuisance. Equipment and systems include but are not limited to apparatus, devices, fixtures, piping, pipe hangers, pipe covering, wiring, fittings and materials used as part of or in connection with such installations. B. Equipment and systems subject to damage from freezing shall be adequately protected against freezing. C. Moving parts of equipment which may be a potential hazard shall be guarded to protect against accidental contact.
Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-22 establishes baseline safety standards for a wide range of building systems and equipment, including plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilation, fire protection, and mechanical installations. Under this provision, all such systems must be installed, located, and maintained so they do not endanger health or welfare, create structural hazards, pose ignition or radiation risks, or generate excessive noise or nuisance conditions. The rule also requires that equipment vulnerable to freezing be adequately protected and that moving parts posing a hazard be guarded against accidental contact.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under ch. 210 § 210-22 generally ensure that all covered building systems—from plumbing and HVAC to elevators and fire-protection equipment—are professionally installed, routinely inspected, and kept in a condition that poses no health, safety, or nuisance risk to occupants. Compliant operators typically winterize any equipment susceptible to freeze damage before cold weather arrives and install appropriate guards on exposed moving parts. Maintaining thorough maintenance records and scheduling periodic professional assessments of mechanical systems are practices commonly associated with ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under ch. 210 § 210-22, tenants in Ithaca have a right to occupy a building whose mechanical systems—including heating, plumbing, electrical, and fire-protection equipment—are maintained in a safe, non-hazardous condition free from excessive noise or nuisance. If a system appears dangerous, is inadequately protected from freezing, or has unguarded moving parts, tenants may consider documenting the condition in writing and notifying the landlord, or filing a complaint with the City of Ithaca's code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations in the Ithaca area can help residents understand what remedies or defenses may be available under this provision.
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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