Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-28
Electrical wiring and equipment
Operative Text
A. General requirements. (1) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be installed in conformity with generally accepted standards and shall be 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. The electric wiring system 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 exit from sleeping rooms is 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. (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.
Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-28 establishes comprehensive standards for electrical wiring, equipment, lighting, and exit signage in residential buildings. Electrical systems must be safely installed, properly grounded, protected against overcurrent, and kept free from fire and shock hazards. Residential units must have adequate electric lighting with accessible controls, and multi-unit buildings must display illuminated exit and directional signs meeting specific size and wording requirements whenever the building is occupied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 210 § 210-28, compliant property operators generally ensure that all electrical wiring and equipment is installed to accepted standards, firmly secured, properly grounded, and protected by correctly rated overcurrent devices. Landlords typically verify that each dwelling unit has a light switch near its entrance, that the building's electrical system connects to an adequate power source, and that all spaces are adequately illuminated. In multiple dwellings, operators generally maintain continuously illuminated exit and directional signs with block letters at least six inches high (or 4½ inches for internally illuminated signs) visible from the approach to all exits whenever the building is occupied.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ch. 210 § 210-28 gives tenants in Ithaca the right to live in a dwelling with safe, properly maintained electrical wiring and equipment, adequate lighting in all spaces, and a light switch near the entrance to their unit. Tenants in multi-unit buildings are also entitled to clearly marked, continuously illuminated exit and directional signs. If these conditions are not met, tenants may consider documenting the deficiency, raising the violation as a defense in relevant proceedings, or contacting the City of Ithaca's code enforcement office or a local tenant-rights organization to learn about available complaint processes.
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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