Oswego, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-51
Space requirements
Operative Text
A. Maximum occupancy. The maximum number of occupants of mobile home shall be limited to the number determined on the basis of the square feet of floor area of habitable space, exclusive of habitable space used for cooking purposes, in accordance with the following: (1) One hundred fifty square feet for one or two occupants. (2) Two hundred fifty square feet for three occupants. (3) Eighty square feet additional for each occupant thereafter. B. Height of habitable space. Habitable space shall have a minimum ceiling height of seven feet over 50% of the floor area; and the floor area where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered in computing gross floor area. C. Bathrooms and toilet rooms. Bathrooms and toilet rooms shall have provisions for privacy and shall be provided with floors of moisture-resistant material. D. Prohibited uses. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, kitchens and kitchenettes shall not be used for sleeping purposes. E. Exits. A mobile home shall have a safe and unobstructed primary exit and an emergency exit located remote from the primary exit.
Section 149-51 of Oswego's Code of Ordinances establishes minimum space and safety standards for mobile homes. It sets maximum occupancy limits based on habitable floor area (starting at 150 square feet for one or two occupants), requires a minimum ceiling height of seven feet over at least half the floor area, mandates moisture-resistant bathroom floors and privacy provisions, prohibits using bathrooms, kitchens, or kitchenettes as sleeping areas, and requires both a primary exit and a separate emergency exit. These rules collectively define the baseline habitability conditions a mobile home must meet under Oswego law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of mobile home units in Oswego should be familiar with ch. 149 § 149-51, which governs how occupancy limits are calculated and what physical conditions must be maintained. A compliant operator generally tracks the habitable square footage of each unit—excluding cooking areas—to determine the lawful maximum number of residents, ensures ceiling heights meet the seven-foot threshold over at least 50% of the floor area, and keeps bathrooms equipped with moisture-resistant flooring and adequate privacy. Compliant operators also confirm that no sleeping arrangements are placed in kitchens, bathrooms, or toilet rooms, and that both a primary and a remotely located emergency exit remain clear and functional at all times.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Oswego Code ch. 149 § 149-51, tenants living in mobile homes have a right to occupy a unit that meets minimum space, ceiling height, bathroom, and exit standards set by local ordinance. If a unit appears to be overcrowded beyond the square-footage-based limits, lacks proper exits, or has bathrooms without moisture-resistant floors or adequate privacy, these may constitute code violations that can be reported to the appropriate local code enforcement or housing authority. Tenants who believe their unit falls short of the standards in § 149-51 may wish to document conditions, contact a local tenant-rights organization, or inquire with the City of Oswego about the complaint and inspection process.
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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