Newburgh, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 190 § 190-102
Light in public halls and stairways
Operative Text
A. General requirements. Every public hall and common stairway located in a structure used for human habitation and which is used primarily for ingress and egress in connection with two or more dwelling units or rooming units shall be supplied with a proper amount of natural light or lighting facilities controllable by the occupants of the structure and be available at all times. Structures containing three or more dwelling units or where rooms are let to five or more persons shall meet the requirements of the Multiple Residence Law . B. Rules and regulations. The natural or artificial lighting provided shall not be less than five footcandles (five lumens), measured in the darkest portions of normally traveled stairs and passageways during the darkest hours of the day.
Section 190-102 of Newburgh's Code of Ordinances requires that public hallways and common stairways in residential buildings serving two or more dwelling or rooming units be adequately lit at all times, either by natural light or controllable artificial lighting. The minimum standard is five footcandles (five lumens), measured at the darkest points of stairs and passageways during the darkest hours of the day. Buildings with three or more dwelling units, or where rooms are rented to five or more people, must also comply with New York's Multiple Residence Law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 190-102, property owners and managers are generally expected to ensure that all public halls and common stairways in their residential buildings maintain a minimum of five footcandles of light at the darkest points during the darkest hours. Compliant operators typically install lighting systems that occupants can control and conduct routine inspections to confirm that bulbs, fixtures, and switches remain functional. Buildings with three or more dwelling units or five or more rooming occupants should also be reviewed against the applicable requirements of the New York Multiple Residence Law.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 190-102 gives occupants of multi-unit residential buildings the right to adequately lit common hallways and stairways, with lighting that they can control and that meets a minimum of five footcandles at the darkest areas. If lighting in shared spaces falls below this standard, tenants may document the conditions and report the issue to the City of Newburgh's code enforcement office. Consulting a local tenant-rights organization can help residents understand what additional protections may apply, including those under the New York Multiple Residence Law referenced in 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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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