Newburgh, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 240 § 240-26
Exits: hardware for doors
Operative Text
A. Prohibited locking devices. No hasp, lock, padlock, bar, chain or other device, which is openable only from the exterior, shall be installed by a tenant(s) on any door, which is used or intended to be used, as a means of egress. B. Locking devices required. (1) It is the responsibility of all property owners to ensure that exit doors from dwelling units, and doors from bedrooms, sleeping rooms or lodging units which are located within dwelling units, rooming houses or boardinghouses, in which three or more unrelated individuals reside, shall be equipped with a locking device which is securable by means of a key from the outside and which is provided, on the inside, with a simple type of releasing device, such as a knob, handle or panic bar, the method of operation of which is obvious, even in darkness. No tenant shall remove and/or disable said locking devices. (2) It is the responsibility of all property owners to ensure that all openable windows located within 10 feet, measured vertically, or within six feet, measured horizontally, of ground level, or of exterior balconies, porches, stairs, fire escapes, railings, roof surfaces or any other accessible structure, shall be equipped with sash locks designed to be openable from the inside only. Sash locks shall be easily openable without the use of keys and be maintained in good repair. No tenant shall remove and/or disable said sash locks. C. Self-closing doors shall not be blocked in the open position, and automatic doors shall not be removed. D. Tampering with exit lights and exit signs is prohibited. If exit lights are out or malfunctioning, the property owner must be notified.
Newburgh, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 240 § 240-26 establishes rules governing exit hardware on doors and windows in residential properties. Tenants are prohibited from installing exterior-only locking devices on egress doors, and neither landlords nor tenants may disable required locking hardware. Property owners must ensure that exit and bedroom doors in multi-occupant dwellings have locks operable by key from outside but releasable from inside without a key, and that ground-accessible windows have inside-only sash locks. Self-closing and automatic doors must remain functional, and exit lighting must be kept operational.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 240-26, property owners bear direct responsibility for equipping exit doors and bedroom doors in qualifying multi-occupant dwellings with compliant locking devices—keyed from the outside, but releasable from the inside by an obvious mechanism such as a knob, handle, or panic bar. Owners must also ensure that windows within 10 feet vertically or 6 feet horizontally of ground level or accessible structures are fitted with inside-only sash locks maintained in good repair. Compliant operators routinely inspect self-closing and automatic doors to confirm they are not blocked or removed, and promptly address any malfunctioning exit lights reported by occupants.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 240-26 protects tenants by requiring property owners to maintain proper egress hardware and functional exit lighting throughout the building. Tenants should be aware that installing exterior-only locks on egress doors, or removing or disabling required locking devices or sash locks, is itself a violation of this provision. If exit lights are out or malfunctioning, the provision specifically requires notifying the property owner; tenants who believe their building's hardware does not meet these standards may consider contacting the City of Newburgh's code enforcement office or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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