Rye, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 108 § 108-13
Public space
Operative Text
A. Height. Public space shall have a minimum height of seven feet six inches measured from finished floor to finished ceiling. B. Light and ventilation. (1) Public spaces shall be provided with artificial light. (2) In public stairs, stairways and passageways, artificial light shall be electric lighting available at all times so as to afford safe passage for occupants and users. Such lighting shall conform to the following: (a) A sufficient number of fixtures shall be provided so that the distance between fixtures is not more than 30 feet and so that no wall is more than 15 feet distant from a fixture. (b) Incandescent lighting shall be based on not less than 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 25 watts. (c) Fluorescent lighting shall be based on not less than 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 15 watts. (d) Where under these formulas the calculated wattage does not correspond to that of a standard lamp, the next larger size shall be used. (3) Public spaces shall be provided either with natural ventilation conforming to the requirements for habitable space or with mechanical ventilation.
Rye, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 108 § 108-13 establishes minimum physical standards for public spaces within residential buildings. Ceilings in these areas must be at least seven feet six inches high, measured from finished floor to finished ceiling. Adequate lighting—whether incandescent or fluorescent—must be provided according to specific wattage-per-square-foot formulas, and all public stairs, stairways, and passageways must have electric lighting available at all times. Ventilation must be supplied either through natural means meeting habitable-space standards or through a mechanical system.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Rye should ensure that all public spaces comply with the dimensional and systems requirements set out in ch. 108 § 108-13. Compliant buildings maintain ceiling heights of at least seven feet six inches in public areas, keep electric lighting continuously available in stairways and passageways with fixtures spaced no more than 30 feet apart, and meet the prescribed wattage minimums for incandescent or fluorescent lamps. Ventilation systems in public spaces are verified to meet either the natural-ventilation standard for habitable space or an approved mechanical alternative.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Rye, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 108 § 108-13, tenants have a right to public spaces—including stairways and passageways—that meet minimum height, lighting, and ventilation standards. If a building's common areas appear to fall short of these requirements, such as inadequate lighting in stairwells or ceilings below the required height, residents may document the conditions and report them to the appropriate local code enforcement or building department. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Rye's housing code can help residents understand what options are available, including raising a code violation as part of a broader housing complaint.
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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