Pelham, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 54 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 54-121
Alcoves
Operative Text
A. An alcove less than sixty (60) square feet shall be deemed part of the habitable room it abuts, provided that the dividing partition between the alcove and the room has an opening of at least eighty percent (80%) of the wall area of the partition, measured on the alcove side, such wall area is at least forty (40) square feet and the depth of such alcove is not more than half its width. B. The floor area of the alcove shall be added to the floor area of the habitable room for the purpose of complying with the light and ventilation requirements under §§ 54-127 , 54-128 and 54-129 of this code. C. An alcove with an area of sixty (60) square feet or more, but less than eighty (80) square feet, shall be deemed part of the habitable room that it abuts, provided that it meets the requirements of Subsection A above and is separately lighted and ventilated as required for habitable space under this code.
Section 54-121 of Pelham's Code of Ordinances establishes when an alcove is treated as part of an adjoining habitable room rather than as a separate space. A small alcove under 60 square feet qualifies as part of the room it abuts if its dividing partition has a large enough opening, meets minimum wall-area thresholds, and is not too deep relative to its width. Larger alcoves between 60 and 80 square feet can also be counted as part of the adjoining room, but only if they additionally meet independent lighting and ventilation standards for habitable space.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators managing properties in Pelham should understand that § 54-121 directly affects how floor area is calculated for light and ventilation compliance under §§ 54-127, 54-128, and 54-129. A compliant operator generally verifies that any alcove claimed as part of a habitable room satisfies the applicable size, partition-opening, and depth-to-width criteria before relying on that combined floor area in code calculations. For alcoves in the 60–80 square foot range, compliant operators also ensure those spaces are independently lighted and ventilated to habitable-space standards.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 54-121, tenants living in units with alcoves have an interest in knowing whether those spaces are properly classified, since the classification affects whether the unit meets Pelham's light and ventilation requirements. If a tenant believes an alcove has been improperly counted toward habitable space in a way that affects the unit's code compliance, that concern can generally be raised with the local building or housing code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Pelham's Code of Ordinances can help residents understand how this provision may apply to their living conditions.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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