Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-154
Light in nonhabitable space
Operative Text
(a) Every stair, hall, cellar and basement located in a structure used for human habitation shall have adequate natural or artificial light available at all times. (b) The natural or artificial lighting available shall not be less than three footcandles [three lumens] measured in the darkest portions of normally traveled passageways and stairs.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-154 establishes a minimum lighting standard for non-habitable shared spaces—such as stairs, hallways, cellars, and basements—in residential buildings. These areas must be lit at all times, whether by natural or artificial sources, and the light level must reach at least three footcandles (three lumens) even in the darkest parts of passageways and stairways. The rule is designed to ensure that people moving through these spaces can do so safely at any hour.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 12 § 12-154, property owners and managers of residential buildings generally ensure that all stairways, hallways, cellars, and basements are continuously illuminated to a minimum of three footcandles in their darkest areas. Compliant operators typically conduct routine inspections of lighting fixtures, replace burned-out bulbs promptly, and verify light levels in the dimmest corners of passageways and stair landings. Keeping maintenance records of lighting checks can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-154 of the Poughkeepsie Code of Ordinances gives residents of buildings used for human habitation the right to adequately lit shared spaces—including stairs, hallways, cellars, and basements—at all times. If lighting in these areas falls below the required three-footcandle minimum or is simply absent, tenants may document the condition (such as with dated photographs) and report it to the appropriate local code enforcement or housing inspection authority. Tenant-rights organizations in the Poughkeepsie area can provide general information about how to raise a lighting deficiency 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 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.