N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2066
Sanitary facilities in apartments (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. Multiple dwellings erected after nineteen hundred twenty-nine: (1) Every apartment in a multiple dwelling erected after April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine shall contain a water closet and a bath. (2) In every such dwelling exceeding two stories in height, a water closet shall be accessible to every bedroom without passing through any other bedroom, and such access shall be required in every dwelling of two stories or less in height erected after July first, nineteen hundred sixty-one. (3) In a multiple dwelling erected after July fourteenth, nineteen hundred sixty-seven, every apartment shall contain a washbasin. b. Converted dwellings. (1) Every apartment in a converted dwelling shall contain a water closet and a bath or shower; and every apartment in a dwelling converted after July first, nineteen hundred sixty-one shall also contain a washbasin. (2) In an apartment located in a dwelling converted after April thirteenth, nineteen hundred forty, there shall be access to a water closet from every bedroom without passing through any other bedroom. c. New law tenements. (1) Every apartment in a new law tenement shall contain a water closet and a bath. (2) In every apartment, a water closet shall be accessible to every bedroom without passing through any other bedroom. d. Old law tenements. (1) In every old law tenement a water closet shall be provided for the exclusive use of the occupants of every apartment. If it is not located within the apartment, the water closet shall be located on the same story as the apartment and shall be equipped with lock and key. (2) Such water closet shall be constructed and ventilated as approved by the department. e. New apartments in converted dwellings or tenements. After December ninth, nineteen hundred fifty-five, in any converted dwelling or tenement in which: (1) the number of apartments in the dwelling is increased by any alteration, including the subdivision of existing apartments, the conversion of non-residential space or rooming units to apartments, or the enlargement of the dwelling; or (2) all apartments in the dwelling are vacated by the department or, except in a summer resort dwelling, are untenanted for sixty days or more; a new certificate of occupancy shall not be issued and a newly created apartment shall not be occupied, or a vacated apartment reoccupied, unless it contains a water closet, bath or shower, and washbasin. f. Requirements for all apartments in multiple dwellings effective January first, nineteen hundred seventy-three: Effective January first, nineteen hundred seventy-three, there shall be provided for the exclusive use of the occupants of each apartment in a multiple dwelling a water closet, a bath or shower; and a wash basin, except that in tenements, no wash basin shall be required pursuant to this section where there is a sink within the apartment.
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2066 establish minimum sanitary facility requirements for apartments in multiple dwellings, with standards that vary based on when a building was constructed or converted. Depending on the building type and date, each apartment must contain some combination of a water closet, bath or shower, and washbasin for the exclusive use of its occupants. Additional rules govern bedroom access to water closets, ensuring that no occupant must pass through another bedroom to reach a toilet.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings in New York City must ensure that each apartment meets the sanitary facility standards set out in §§ 27-2001 and 27-2066 for its specific building category—whether a post-1929 multiple dwelling, converted dwelling, new law tenement, or old law tenement. Compliant operators confirm that water closets, baths or showers, and washbasins are present and exclusively available to each apartment's occupants, and that bedroom-to-water-closet access does not require passing through another bedroom where required. Before issuing or obtaining a new certificate of occupancy for altered or vacated units, operators verify that the apartment meets the full fixture requirements applicable to its building type.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under §§ 27-2001 and 27-2066, tenants are entitled to exclusive access to a water closet, bath or shower, and (in most building types) a washbasin within their apartment. If these facilities are absent or shared contrary to the applicable standard, tenants may report the condition to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development as a housing maintenance code violation. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand which specific standard applies to their building type and what remedies may be available.
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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