Rensselaer, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 121 § 121-26
Heating
Operative Text
A. General requirements. (1) Residential buildings intended for occupancy between the first day of November and the first day of May of the following year shall be provided with heating equipment designed to maintain a temperature of not less than 70° F. at a distance of three feet and more from exterior walls and at a level of five feet above the floor in habitable spaces, kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms. The capability of the heating equipment to maintain such indoor temperature shall be based on the average of the recorded annual minimum outside temperatures for the locality. B. Smoke control. Fuel-burning heat-producing equipment shall be installed and maintained so that the emission or discharge into the atmosphere of smoke, dust, particles, odors or other products of combustion will not create a nuisance or be detrimental to the health, comfort, safety or property of any person. C. Warm air heating. Ducts and other air-handling equipment used for heating shall conform to the requirements of such equipment used for ventilating purposes. D. Prohibited locations for heat-producing equipment. Fuel-burning water heaters shall not be located in sleeping rooms, bathrooms or toilet rooms. E. Fuel supply connection. Fuel-burning equipment shall be permanently fastened and connected in place. Fuel supply connection to such equipment shall be made with pipe or tubing of solid metal. F. Installation and clearance. Where heat-producing equipment is installed on or adjacent to combustible materials, the location, insulation, clearance and the control of the equipment shall be such that the temperature on the surface of the combustible materials will not exceed a safe temperature. G. Air supply. (1) Direct-fired heat-producing equipment and the enclosure in which it is located shall be provided with a supply of air adequate both for complete combustion at the rated gross output of the equipment and for the ventilation of the enclosure to prevent the accumulation of heat. (2) Rooms containing fuel-burning equipment shall have such air supply provided by means of one or more openings to the exterior or by means of fixed openings to interior spaces which open to the exterior. H. Removal of products of combustion. (1) Equipment for burning solid or liquid fuel shall be connected to suitable chimneys or flues and shall not be connected to gas vents. Unvented heaters burning liquid fuel shall be prohibited. (2) Fuel-burning space heaters located in sleeping rooms or rooms normally kept closed shall be connected to a suitable chimney, flue or gas vent. (3) Gas-fired equipment shall be connected to a suitable chimney, flue or gas vent when the discharge of products of combustion into the space where the equipment is installed would be a hazard. I. Safety devices. (1) Equipment capable of developing hazardous pressures or temperatures shall be provided with means to relieve safely such pressures and temperatures. (2) Controls for the safe operation of automatically operated heat-producing equipment shall be provided to function as follows: When failure or interruption of flame or ignition occurs, the fuel supply shall be cut off. When a predetermined temperature or pressure is exceeded, the input of additional heat shall be prevented or reduced to a safe rate. When the water level in a steam boiler drops below a predetermined level, the fuel supply shall be cut off. When failure or interruption of pilot light or main burner of liquefied petroleum gas equipment occurs, the fuel supply to each pilot light and main burner shall be cut off. J. Heating of garages. Fuel-burning equipment for garages servicing multiple dwellings shall be located in heater rooms, except that equipment burning gas or liquid fuel, located in the vehicle storage space, shall be permitted in stories at or above grade, where elevated so as not to be exposed to possible accumulation of flammable gases.
Section 121-26 of Rensselaer's Code of Ordinances establishes comprehensive standards for heating systems in residential buildings. From November 1 through May 1, buildings must be equipped to maintain at least 70°F in habitable spaces, measured three feet from exterior walls and five feet above the floor. The provision also governs smoke emissions, fuel connections, combustion air supply, venting of combustion byproducts, safety controls, and the placement of fuel-burning equipment in garages and sleeping areas.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating residential buildings in Rensselaer must ensure that heating equipment, as required under § 121-26, is capable of sustaining a minimum indoor temperature of 70°F throughout the heating season based on local average minimum outdoor temperatures. Compliant operators also ensure that fuel-burning equipment is permanently connected with solid metal piping, properly vented to appropriate chimneys or flues, and never installed in sleeping rooms, bathrooms, or toilet rooms. Heating systems are generally maintained so that combustion byproducts, smoke, and particulates do not create a nuisance or health hazard, and safety controls are in place to automatically cut fuel supply when flame failure, excess pressure, or low water levels occur.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 121-26 of Rensselaer's Code of Ordinances, tenants in residential buildings are entitled to heating that maintains at least 70°F in living spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, and toilet rooms during the November-through-May heating season. If a unit fails to meet these temperature standards, or if heating equipment appears improperly vented, located in a prohibited area such as a sleeping room, or emitting harmful combustion byproducts, tenants may consider documenting the conditions and contacting the City of Rensselaer's code enforcement office to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand the range of options available, including raising a code violation as a defense in relevant housing proceedings.
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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