Oswego, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-14
Nonhabitable space
Operative Text
A. Height. Nonhabitable space, except crawl spaces and attics, in multiple residences shall have a minimum height of seven feet measured from floor to ceiling. B. Toilet rooms and bathrooms. (1) Toilet rooms and bathrooms in one- and two-family dwellings shall have provisions for privacy. (2) Toilet rooms and bathrooms for dwelling units in multiple residences shall be located within the dwelling units and shall be accessible from any sleeping room without passing through any other sleeping room. (3) Unless located within dwelling units or directly connected with sleeping room, toilet rooms and bathrooms in multiple residences shall be provided in each story containing habitable space, and shall be accessible thereto. (4) Toilet rooms for employees in multiple residences shall be in separate rooms for each sex where there are five or more employees, shall be readily accessible to such employees and shall not open directly into any public kitchen or other public space used for the cooking or preparation of food. (5) In one- and two-family dwellings, bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with floors of moisture-resistant material. (6) In multiple residences, floors of bathrooms, toilet rooms and similar spaces shall be waterproof; such waterproofing shall extend six inches or more above floors except at doors, so that floors can be flushed or washed without leaking. C. Light and ventilation. (1) Kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with artificial light appropriate for the use of such rooms. (2) Laundry rooms, furnace rooms and similar nonhabitable space shall be provided with artificial light appropriate for the intended use of such rooms. (3) Stairs shall be provided with artificial light to allow safe ascent or descent. (4) Kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with ventilation in accordance with either of the following: (a) Natural ventilation as required for habitable space, except that such openable areas shall be not less than 1 1/2 square feet for bathrooms or toilet rooms and not less than three square feet for kitchenettes; or (b) Mechanical ventilation exhausting not less than 25 cfm for bathrooms and toilet rooms and not less than 100 cfm for kitchenettes. (5) Spaces in multiple residences which contain central heat-producing, air-conditioning and other equipment shall be ventilated to the outer air, and air from these spaces shall not be recirculated to other parts of the building. (6) Ventilation shall be provided in unheated attics, spaces below flat roofs and crawl spaces. Location and net areas of ventilation openings shall be such as to minimize deterioration of structural members from condensation or other causes, in conformity with generally accepted standards.
Section 149-14 of Oswego's Code of Ordinances establishes minimum physical standards for nonhabitable spaces in residential buildings, covering ceiling heights, bathroom placement and privacy, floor waterproofing, lighting, and ventilation. Nonhabitable areas such as bathrooms, kitchenettes, laundry rooms, and stairways must meet specific requirements tailored to their function and the type of dwelling they serve. The rule distinguishes between one- and two-family dwellings and multiple residences, applying stricter or more detailed requirements to larger buildings in areas like bathroom accessibility, floor waterproofing, and equipment-room ventilation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Oswego should ensure that all nonhabitable spaces comply with the dimensional, accessibility, and environmental standards set out in § 149-14. In multiple residences, this means verifying that non-attic, non-crawlspace areas meet the seven-foot ceiling minimum, that bathroom floors are fully waterproofed with a six-inch upward extension, and that bathrooms are accessible from sleeping rooms without passing through another sleeping room. Compliant operators also confirm that kitchenettes, bathrooms, stairways, and mechanical equipment rooms have appropriate artificial lighting and ventilation systems meeting the airflow thresholds specified in § 149-14(C).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Oswego rental properties have a right to spaces that meet the habitability and safety standards described in § 149-14, including properly lit and ventilated bathrooms, waterproofed bathroom floors in multiple residences, and accessible toilet facilities. If a bathroom lacks adequate ventilation, a stairway is poorly lit, or a bathroom floor appears to leak or lacks proper waterproofing, these conditions may constitute violations of this provision. Tenants who believe their unit falls short of these standards can document the conditions, raise the issue with their landlord in writing, contact the City of Oswego's code enforcement office, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.