Newark, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 90-47
Exterior structure
Operative Text
A. Foundation walls. The foundation walls of every structure, used for human habitation, shall be maintained in good repair and be structurally sound. B. Roofs. The roof shall be structurally sound and tight and have no defects which might admit rain, and roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rainwater from causing dampness in the walls or interior portion of the building. C. Exterior walls. Every exterior wall shall be free of holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timbers and any other conditions which might admit rain or dampness to the interior portions of the walls or to the occupied spaces of the building. All exterior surface material that is not water-resistant shall be painted in accordance with acceptable standards, and all siding material must be kept in good repair. D. Stairs, porches and railings. The stairs, porches and railings affixed to the exterior of every structure used for human habitation shall be kept in good repair and structurally sound. E. Handrails. Every flight of stairs which is more than four risers high shall have handrails located on both sides if stairs are open, on open side of stairs, if enclosed on one side, and one handrail on either side if stairs are enclosed on both sides. Every handrail and balustrade shall be firmly fastened and shall be maintained in good condition. F. Doors. (1) Every exterior door and frame shall be constructed, installed and maintained in a manner which will substantially exclude wind and rain from entering the dwelling or structure. (2) Every exterior door, when closed, shall fit properly in the frame. (3) Every exterior door, door hinge and door latch and handle shall be maintained in good condition. (4) All exterior apartment or structure doors shall be of solid-core construction and protected from damage by the elements. (5) Exit doors shall be capable of being opened from the inside without the use of a key. G. Windows. Every window and frame shall be constructed, installed and maintained in a satisfactory manner. All windows shall operate in a correct manner, be supplied with glass window panes, screens, sash locks, properly glazed, and every window other than a fixed window shall be easily opened and held in position by proper window hardware. H. Overhanging objects. Every structure used for human habitation shall be kept free of loose overhanging objects. I. Leaders and gutters. Leaders and gutters may be supplied where necessary; however, if leaders and gutters are installed, they must be maintained in a proper, safe manner so as to prevent the entrance of water into the structure. J. Weathertight and watertight. Every structure used for human habitation shall be so maintained that it will be weathertight and watertight. K. Chimneys, flues and vents. (1) Chimneys, flues, gas vents and their supports shall be installed and maintained so as to be structurally safe, durable, smoke-tight, noncombustible and capable of withstanding the action of flue gases without softening, cracking, corroding or spalling. (2) Such facilities shall effectively convey the products of combustion to the outer air. (3) Masonry chimneys, except approved prefabricated chimneys, shall have noncombustible foundations. (4) Openings for smoke pipes or gas vent connections shall be provided with means for easy connection without restriction of flue. (5) No flue shall have smoke pipe or gas vent connections in more than one story of a building. (6) Fuel-burning equipment and fireplaces located in different tenancies shall not be connected to the same flue. (7) Chimneys, flues and gas vents shall be installed and maintained so that, under conditions of use, the temperature of any combustible material adjacent thereto, insulated therefrom or in contact therewith does not exceed a safe temperature. (8) A chimney or flue connected to an incinerator and a chimney or flue which may emit sparks shall be provided with a spark arrester of noncombustible construction. Spark arresters shall have sufficient total clear area to permit unrestricted passage of flue gases. Openings in spark arresters shall be of such size as to prevent passage of embers and to minimize clogging by soot. L. Protective coating for wood surfaces. All exterior wood surfaces of a structure used for human habitation that are not of a species inherently resistant to decay shall be treated periodically with a protective coating or other preservative to prevent structural deterioration (no peeling or chipping paint will be permitted). M. Structural members. Supporting structural members of every structure used for human habitation shall be structurally sound. N. Fire escapes. All fire escapes shall be installed in accordance with the regulation of the building code used by the Village and shall be maintained so as to be structurally safe and free from corrosive action. No storage or obstructions are to be allowed on any fire escape. O. Premises identification. Buildings shall have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be not less than four inches (102 mm) in height with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm).
Newark, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-47 establishes comprehensive exterior maintenance standards for all structures used for human habitation. The rule covers a wide range of building components—including foundations, roofs, walls, stairs, doors, windows, chimneys, fire escapes, and address numbering—requiring each to be kept structurally sound, weathertight, and safe. Non-water-resistant surfaces must be painted or treated, exit doors must open from the inside without a key, and address numbers must be clearly visible from the street in a specified size and format.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Newark, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-47 generally conduct routine inspections of all exterior components—foundations, roofs, walls, stairs, porches, railings, handrails, doors, windows, gutters, chimneys, fire escapes, and address signage—to identify and correct deficiencies before they worsen. Compliant operators ensure that exterior wood surfaces are periodically treated with protective coatings, that all exit doors open from the inside without a key, and that address numbers meet the minimum four-inch height and stroke-width requirements. Maintaining documentation of repairs and inspection schedules is a common practice among operators seeking to demonstrate ongoing compliance with this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Newark, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-47, tenants living in structures used for human habitation have an interest in exterior components—such as roofs, walls, stairs, doors, windows, and fire escapes—being kept in safe, weathertight, and structurally sound condition. If exterior deficiencies such as a leaking roof, broken stair railings, or a door that does not properly close are present, tenants may report these conditions to the appropriate local code enforcement or housing authority in Newark. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what local complaint or inspection processes 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 November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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