N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2016
Departmental regulations concerning paint and wall covering and quality and frequency of repainting or re-covering (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. The department may by regulation prescribe or approve the kind and quality of paints or wall covering which may be used to satisfy the requirements of this article. b. The department may by regulation extend the time for repainting when in its judgment the particular kind and quality of paint or wall covering used is designed to wear for considerably longer periods of time than the time set for repainting in this article. An owner who uses such long-wearing paints or wall covering shall inform the department prior to his or her doing so in accordance with departmental regulations.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2016, the city's housing department holds authority to set or approve standards for the types and quality of paints and wall coverings that legally satisfy interior maintenance requirements. The department may also grant extended repainting intervals when a particular paint or wall covering is engineered to last significantly longer than the standard schedule. Any such extension is contingent on the property owner notifying the department before applying the long-wearing material, following whatever procedural rules the department has established.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2016 generally ensure that any paint or wall covering selected for tenant spaces meets the department's approved standards for kind and quality. Operators who wish to take advantage of extended repainting schedules by using long-wearing materials typically file the required advance notice with the department before application, in compliance with departmental regulations. Maintaining documentation of the product specifications and the pre-application notification helps demonstrate ongoing compliance if the property is later inspected.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2016 establish that tenants are entitled to have their units painted or covered with materials that meet city-approved quality standards, and that any extension of the normal repainting cycle must be formally authorized by the department—not decided unilaterally by a landlord. If a tenant believes their unit has not been maintained in accordance with these paint and wall-covering requirements, they may consider filing a complaint with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development or raising the issue through a housing court proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what remedies 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 October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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