Pelham, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 54 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 54-150
Exits from floors used by children
Operative Text
All floors used by children in a group home shall have alternate exits remotely located from each other and readily accessible to the occupants, except that a two-story detached dwelling shall have a minimum of one (1) exit stairway from the second floor and at least one (1) additional alternate safe means of emergency egress from the second floor. Folding drop ladders or attached vertical ladders are not acceptable as secondary means of egress.
Section 54-150 of Pelham's Code of Ordinances establishes exit requirements for floors in group homes where children are present. Every such floor must have at least two exits placed far apart from one another and easy for occupants to reach. A two-story detached dwelling that qualifies gets a specific allowance: one stairway exit from the second floor plus at least one additional safe emergency egress route, but folding drop ladders and attached vertical ladders are explicitly prohibited as secondary egress options.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of group homes subject to § 54-150 generally ensure that every floor used by children is equipped with multiple exits that are remotely located from each other and unobstructed. For two-story detached dwellings, compliant facilities maintain a proper stairway exit from the second floor alongside at least one additional approved emergency egress route. Because § 54-150 specifically bars folding drop ladders and attached vertical ladders as secondary egress, operators typically verify that any alternate exit meets an approved standard before relying on it.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 54-150 gives children and their caregivers in group homes the right to floors with multiple, well-separated, and accessible exits. If a secondary exit appears to be a folding drop ladder or an attached vertical ladder — both of which are prohibited under this provision — that may constitute a code violation worth documenting. Residents or guardians who believe a group home is not meeting the exit requirements of § 54-150 can report concerns to the local code enforcement or building department, or reach out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance on 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 9, 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
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation