Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-158
Electric fixtures in bathrooms
Operative Text
Every bathroom, shower room, toilet room or compartment located in a structure used for human habitation shall have permanently installed artificial lighting fixtures. The switches shall be so located as to avoid danger of electrical hazards.
Under Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-158, every bathroom, shower room, toilet room, or compartment in a residential structure must be equipped with permanently installed artificial lighting fixtures. Additionally, the switches controlling those fixtures must be positioned in a way that avoids electrical hazards. This rule establishes a baseline safety standard for lighting in all residential bathroom-type spaces within the city.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-158 requires that compliant residential property operators ensure every bathroom, shower room, toilet room, and compartment in their buildings has permanently installed artificial lighting—not just portable or plug-in lamps. Operators also take care that light switches are placed away from water sources or other conditions that could create electrical hazards. Routine property inspections are a common practice for verifying that fixtures and switch placements continue to meet this standard.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-158, tenants in residential dwellings have a right to permanently installed artificial lighting in bathrooms, shower rooms, toilet rooms, and similar compartments, with switches positioned safely away from electrical hazards. If a rental unit lacks such fixtures or has switches in potentially dangerous locations, tenants may have grounds to raise this as a housing code violation. General enforcement paths can include filing a complaint with the City of Poughkeepsie's code enforcement office or consulting a local 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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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