N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2046.3
Safety devices for certain electrical outlets required (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. The owner of a multiple dwelling shall install and maintain protective caps, covers or other safety devices over electrical outlets in the public parts of such multiple dwelling, except that (1) such devices shall not be required in public parts used exclusively for mechanical equipment or storage purposes, and (2) such devices shall not be required for electrical outlets that are listed tamper-resistant receptacles in accordance with the New York city electrical code. b. An owner who fails to install or maintain protective caps, covers or other safety devices in accordance with this section shall be liable for a class A violation. (L.L. 2015/039, 5/6/2015, eff. 9/3/2015)
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2046.3, owners of multiple dwellings are required to cover electrical outlets in common areas with protective caps, covers, or equivalent safety devices. Two categories of outlets are exempt: those located in areas used solely for mechanical equipment or storage, and those that are already listed tamper-resistant receptacles under the New York City Electrical Code. Failure to install or maintain these devices constitutes a Class A violation, which is the least severe category of housing maintenance violation but still carries official enforcement consequences.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Compliance with N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2046.3 generally means auditing all common-area electrical outlets—hallways, lobbies, laundry rooms, and similar shared spaces—and ensuring each is fitted with an approved protective cap, cover, or safety device. Outlets that are already tamper-resistant receptacles listed under the NYC Electrical Code, or those in areas used exclusively for mechanical equipment or storage, do not require additional devices. Operators typically document their inspections and any installed devices to demonstrate ongoing maintenance compliance, since the obligation extends to maintaining the devices, not just the initial installation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2046.3, tenants in multiple dwellings have an interest in knowing that unprotected electrical outlets in common areas—such as hallways and lobbies—represent a potential Class A housing maintenance violation. If a tenant observes uncovered outlets in shared spaces that do not appear to be tamper-resistant receptacles, they may report the condition to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), which handles housing maintenance code complaints. Tenant-rights organizations can also provide general information about how Class A violations are processed and what remedies may be available through HPD's enforcement process.
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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