New Rochelle, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 209 § 209-5
Entrances
Operative Text
A. Every entrance from the street (those buildings with fire escapes only), passageway, court, yard, cellar or other entrance to a multiple dwelling shall be equipped with automatic self-closing and self-locking doors. Such doors shall be locked at all times except when an attendant shall actually be on duty. Every such multiple dwelling shall also be equipped with bells or buzzers located at the door giving access to the main entrance hall or lobby of said multiple dwelling for the purpose of alerting the occupants of each apartment or dwelling unit to the presence of a person seeking entry. Every multiple dwelling shall also be equipped with an automatic release mechanism to permit an apartment or dwelling unit occupant to release the locking mechanism of the door giving access to the main entrance hall or lobby of said multiple dwelling from his apartment or dwelling unit. B. Every multiple dwelling shall also be equipped with an intercommunication system. Such intercommunication system shall be located at the door giving access to the main entrance hall or lobby of said multiple dwelling and shall consist of a device or devices for voice communication between the occupant of each apartment or dwelling unit and a person outside said door to the main entrance hall or lobby. C. All doors, locks, bells, buzzers, automatic release mechanisms and intercommunication systems in existence prior to the enactment of this section or subsequently installed shall be kept in good working order.
New Rochelle Code of Ordinances ch. 209 § 209-5 requires that every multiple dwelling maintain self-closing, self-locking entrance doors that remain locked unless an attendant is present. Buildings must also provide a bell or buzzer system at the main entrance, an in-unit release mechanism so residents can remotely unlock the lobby door, and a two-way voice intercom at the main entrance. All of these systems — whether installed before or after the ordinance took effect — must be kept in continuous good working order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 209 § 209-5, compliant operators of multiple dwellings in New Rochelle generally ensure that all street-level and common-area entrance doors are fitted with functioning self-closing and self-locking hardware, and that lobby access is controlled at all times an attendant is not on duty. Operators also maintain operational bell or buzzer systems, remote door-release mechanisms accessible from each unit, and a voice intercom at the main entrance. Routine inspection and prompt repair of any of these components — doors, locks, bells, buzzers, release mechanisms, and intercoms — is part of keeping the building in compliance with this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 209-5 of the New Rochelle Code of Ordinances gives residents of multiple dwellings the right to building entrances secured by self-locking doors, a working bell or buzzer, a remote door-release mechanism operable from their unit, and a two-way voice intercom at the main lobby entrance. If any of these systems are broken or missing, that condition may constitute a violation of this section, and tenants can report such conditions to the City of New Rochelle's code enforcement or building department. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New Rochelle housing code can help residents understand the range of options available when these required systems are not maintained.
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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