Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-12
Locking devices at entrances (Rochester NY Property Code)
Operative Text
A. In multiple dwellings, where the main entrance is equipped with separate bells to each dwelling unit, the main entrance shall remain locked. B. In every multiple dwelling two or more stories in height, every door opening onto a public hall or stairway shall be equipped with self-closing devices. C. Each such self-closing device shall be properly installed and maintained in good working order. A door so equipped shall be able, when released, to close and latch under its own power from a sixty-degree open position. Common screen door spring door closures shall not be used as self-closing devices.
Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-12 establishes security and fire-safety requirements for multiple dwellings. Buildings with individual unit bells at the main entrance must keep that entrance locked at all times. In buildings two or more stories tall, every door opening onto a public hall or stairway must have a functioning self-closing device — one capable of fully closing and latching from a sixty-degree open position on its own, with common screen-door spring closers explicitly excluded as acceptable hardware.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-12 generally ensure that main entrances with individual unit bells are kept locked and that all hall and stairway doors in buildings of two or more stories are fitted with compliant self-closing devices. Compliant operators routinely inspect these devices to confirm they close and latch from a sixty-degree open position without manual assistance, and they replace any common screen-door spring closers, which the ordinance expressly prohibits. Maintenance records documenting inspections and repairs can help demonstrate ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Rochester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 90 § 90-12, tenants in multiple dwellings have an interest in a locked main entrance and properly functioning self-closing doors on public halls and stairways. If a main entrance is left unlocked when it should not be, or if self-closing devices are broken, missing, or are the prohibited screen-door spring type, tenants may report the condition to the City of Rochester's code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations in the Rochester area can also help residents understand how habitability and safety code violations may be raised in 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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