Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 186 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 186-28
Heating
Operative Text
A. General requirements. (1) Residential buildings intended for occupancy between the first day of September and the first day of June of the following year shall be provided with heating equipment designed to maintain a temperature of not less than 68° F. at a distance of three feet and more from exterior walls, and at a level of five feet above the floor, in habitable spaces, kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms. The capability of the heating equipment to maintain such indoor temperature shall be based on the average of the recorded annual minimum outside temperatures for the locality. (2) In multiple dwellings, adequate heat shall be provided to maintain the indoor temperature in habitable spaces, kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms at 70° F. from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. when the outside temperature falls below 55° F. B. Smoke control. Fuel-burning heat-producing equipment shall be installed and maintained so that the emission or discharge into the atmosphere of smoke, dust particles, odors or other products of combustion will not create a nuisance or be detrimental to the health, comfort, safety or property of any person. C. Warm-air heating. Ducts and other air-handling equipment used for heating shall conform to the requirements of such equipment used for ventilating purposes. D. Prohibited locations for heat-producing equipment. Fuel-burning water heaters shall not be located in sleeping rooms, bathrooms or toilet rooms. E. Fuel supply connection. Fuel-burning equipment shall be permanently fastened and connected in place. Fuel supply connection to such equipment shall be made with pipe or tubing of solid metal. F. Installation and clearance. Where heat-producing equipment is installed on, or adjacent to, combustible materials, the location, insulation, clearance and the control of the equipment shall be such that the temperature on the surface of the combustible materials will not exceed a safe temperature. G. Air supply. (1) Direct-fired heat-producing equipment and the enclosure in which it is located shall be provided with a supply of air adequate both for complete combustion at the rated gross output of the equipment and for the ventilation of the enclosure to prevent the accumulation of heat. (2) Rooms containing fuel-burning equipment shall have such air supply provided by means of one or more openings to the exterior, or by means of fixed openings to interior spaces which open to the exterior. H. Removal of products of combustion. (1) Equipment for burning solid or liquid fuel shall be connected to suitable chimneys or flues and shall not be connected to gas vents. Unvented heaters burning liquid fuel shall be prohibited. (2) Fuel-burning space heaters located in sleeping rooms or rooms normally kept closed shall be connected to a suitable chimney, flue or gas vent. (3) Gas-fired equipment shall be connected to a suitable chimney, flue or gas vent when the discharge of products of combustion into the space where the equipment is installed would be a hazard. I. Safety devices. (1) Equipment capable of developing hazardous pressures or temperatures shall be provided with means to relieve safely such pressures and temperatures. (2) Controls for the safe operation of automatically operated heat-producing equipment shall be provided to function as follows: When failure or interruption of flame or ignition occurs, the fuel supply shall be cut off. When a predetermined temperature or pressure is exceeded, the input of additional heat shall be prevented or reduced to a safe rate. When the water level in a steam boiler drops below a predetermined level, the fuel supply shall be cut off. When failure or interruption of pilot light or main burner of liquefied-petroleum-gas equipment occurs, the fuel supply to each pilot light and main burner shall be cut off. J. Heating of garages. Fuel-burning equipment for garages servicing multiple dwellings shall be located in heater rooms, except that equipment burning gas or liquid fuel, located in the vehicle storage space, shall be permitted in stories at or above grade where elevated so as not to be exposed to possible accumulation of flammable gases.
Section 186-28 of Massena's Code of Ordinances establishes comprehensive standards for heating systems in residential buildings. From September 1 through June 1, habitable spaces must be kept at a minimum of 68°F (70°F in multiple dwellings during specified hours), and fuel-burning equipment must be safely installed, properly vented, and equipped with safety controls. The provision also governs smoke emissions, air supply, fuel connections, clearances from combustible materials, and the placement of heat-producing equipment in garages.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Massena must ensure that heating equipment complies with all requirements of § 186-28, including maintaining the prescribed minimum temperatures in habitable spaces, kitchenettes, bathrooms, and toilet rooms throughout the heating season. Compliant operators keep fuel-burning equipment permanently fastened, connected via solid metal piping, properly vented to appropriate chimneys or flues, and equipped with functioning safety controls that cut off fuel upon flame failure or dangerous pressure and temperature conditions. Routine inspection and maintenance of ducts, clearances from combustible materials, and air supply openings are also part of standard compliance practice under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 186-28, tenants in Massena residential buildings are entitled to adequate heat—at least 68°F in single-family settings and 70°F during specified hours in multiple dwellings—as well as safely installed and vented heating equipment throughout the heating season. If a landlord fails to provide required heat or maintains unsafe heating equipment, tenants may document the conditions (including dates, times, and temperature readings) and report violations to the local code enforcement or housing authority. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what remedies may be available, including raising a heating code violation as a defense in relevant proceedings.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation