Morrisville, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 143 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 143-10
Supplemental regulations
Operative Text
All group residences shall be subject to, and be in conformance with, the following supplemental regulations: A. No exterior alterations shall be made to any existing dwelling to be used as a rooming house other than those mandated by any other codes or regulations to assure safety and sanitation. All alterations of the premises, e.g., driveways, parking areas, landscaping, shall be compatible with the neighborhood and appropriately screened from adjoining properties as determined by the Planning Board upon site plan approval as required by § 143-2 ; B. All new construction applicable to a rooming house shall be compatible with the scale, character and architectural design of existing neighborhood dwellings and shall comply with all regulations applicable to the district, as determined by the Planning Board upon an application for site plan approval; C. The number of residents in a rooming house shall be consistent with the number of bedrooms and other living accommodations available in the structure. There shall be a minimum of 70 square feet of bedroom area with code-compliant emergency escape and rescue openings for each resident; D. Vehicle parking areas shall be in accordance with the provisions of § 143-2B ; E. All exterior site lighting associated with a rooming house shall be designed and installed in such manner as to avoid any light spillover at the property line between the rooming house and adjoining properties. All exterior lighting fixtures shall include glare-reduction devices and must include designation of the fixtures as International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) approved and as Illumination Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) "full cutoff" fixtures; F. All buildings and premises used as rooming houses shall conform to all applicable zoning regulations set forth in Chapter 180 of this Code.
Morrisville, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 143 § 143-10 establishes a set of supplemental standards that all group residences and rooming houses must meet. These standards govern exterior appearance, construction compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood, minimum bedroom space per resident (at least 70 square feet with code-compliant emergency egress), parking, and outdoor lighting—requiring fixtures that are IDA-approved and IESNA 'full cutoff' rated to prevent light spillover onto neighboring properties. The provision also requires that any site plan changes receive Planning Board approval and that all operations remain consistent with Chapter 180 zoning regulations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rooming houses subject to Morrisville, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 143 § 143-10 generally ensure that exterior modifications are limited to those required for safety or sanitation, and that any site alterations—such as driveways or landscaping—are reviewed and approved by the Planning Board through the site plan process. Compliant operators maintain at least 70 square feet of bedroom space with proper emergency escape openings for each resident, and install only IDA-approved, IESNA 'full cutoff' exterior lighting fixtures that prevent light from crossing property lines. New construction is kept compatible in scale and architectural character with the surrounding neighborhood and meets all applicable district regulations under Chapter 180.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of rooming houses in Morrisville should be aware that § 143-10 of the local code entitles them to a minimum of 70 square feet of bedroom space with code-compliant emergency escape and rescue openings, as well as a property maintained in conformance with neighborhood compatibility and lighting standards. If conditions appear to fall short of these requirements—such as overcrowding, inadequate egress, or intrusive exterior lighting—tenants may consider documenting the conditions and reaching out to the local code enforcement office or Planning Board for guidance. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how § 143-10 and related zoning provisions in Chapter 180 may apply to their situation.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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