Pelham, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 54 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 54-87
Lighting and ventilation of public areas
Operative Text
A. Public spaces in residential buildings shall be provided with artificial light. B. In multiple dwellings stairways and passageways shall be provided at all times with lighting so as to afford safe passage. Such lighting shall conform to the following: (1) A sufficient number of fixtures shall be provided so that the distance between fixtures is not more than thirty (30) feet and so that no wall is more than fifteen (15) feet from a fixture. (2) Incandescent lighting shall be based on not less than one-fourth (1/4) watt per square foot of floor area, except that each fixture shall have a lamp or lamps with a total of not less than forty (40) watts. (3) Fluorescent lighting shall be based on not less than one-tenth (1/10) watt per square foot of floor area, except that each fixture shall have a lamp or lamps of a total of not less than fifteen (15) watts. (4) In no case shall such lighting be less than five (5) footcandles of light at the tread or floor level at all times. (5) Where, under these formulas, the calculated wattage does not correspond to that of a standard lamp, the next larger size will be used. (6) Every laundry, furnace room and all similar nonhabitable work space shall have either adequate natural or artificial lighting available at all times. C. In two-family houses, an on/off switch shall be conveniently located at both ends of a shared stairway and passageway, to be used when necessary. Wattage and footcandle requirements shall comply with Subsection B above. D. Public spaces shall be provided with either natural ventilation, conforming to the requirements for habitable space or with approved mechanical ventilation.
Section 54-87 of Pelham's Code of Ordinances establishes minimum lighting and ventilation standards for shared and public areas in residential buildings. Stairways, passageways, laundry rooms, furnace rooms, and similar spaces must be continuously lit to at least five footcandles at floor or tread level, with fixtures spaced no more than thirty feet apart. Two-family homes with shared stairways must have on/off switches at both ends, and all public spaces must receive either natural or mechanically approved ventilation meeting habitable-space standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential buildings in Pelham should ensure that all shared corridors, stairways, and utility spaces are continuously illuminated in compliance with § 54-87's fixture-spacing, wattage, and footcandle minimums. Compliant buildings typically feature fixtures placed no more than thirty feet apart, lamps meeting the incandescent or fluorescent wattage thresholds specified in the ordinance, and verified light levels of at least five footcandles at floor level. In two-family dwellings with shared stairways, accessible switches at both ends of the passage are a standard part of a compliant installation, alongside adequate ventilation in all public spaces.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of Pelham rental properties have a right to safely lit common areas under § 54-87, including stairways, hallways, laundry rooms, and furnace rooms that meet specific wattage and footcandle minimums at all times. If lighting in shared spaces appears inadequate—flickering, too dim, or entirely absent—tenants can document the condition and bring it to the attention of the local building or code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how a landlord's failure to meet § 54-87's standards might be raised as a housing code violation.
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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