Schenectady, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 167 § 167-39
Electrical wiring and equipment
Operative Text
A. General requirements. (1) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be installed in conformity with the National Electrical Code and maintained so as not to be a potential source of ignition of combustible material or a potential source of electrical hazard. (2) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted. (3) Electrical wiring and equipment installed in damp or wet locations or where exposed to explosive or flammable gases or to excessive temperatures shall be of a type approved by the National Electrical Code for the purpose and location. (4) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be protected against excessive current by properly rated over-current devices. (5) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be grounded or otherwise protected by insulation, isolation or guarding so as to minimize the danger of high voltages from lightning or other causes. (6) Electrical equipment which in ordinary operation produces arcs or sparks shall be enclosed unless separated and isolated from all combustible material. (7) Service equipment and over-current protection devices shall be installed and maintained in a readily accessible location. (8) There shall be an adequate number of electrical outlets. B. Artificial lighting. (1) Residential buildings and occupancies shall be wired for electricity, and lighting equipment shall be installed throughout, in accordance with the National Electrical Code, to provide adequate illumination for the intended use of each space. An electric wiring system shall be connected to an adequate source of supply. (2) There shall be a switch or other means for controlling a light in each dwelling unit near the point of entrance to such unit. C. Exit and directional signs in multiple dwellings. (1) Exits in multiple dwellings shall be provided with exit and directional signs visible from the approach to the exits, except that such signs shall not be required in those portions of a building which contain dwelling units only or in which exit from sleeping rooms is directly to the outside. (2) Directional signs shall be provided at locations from which the exit doorway is not readily discernible. (3) Such signs shall be worded in plainly legible block letters with the word "EXIT" for exit signs and the words "TO EXIT," with a suitable pointer or arrow indicating the direction of the exit, for directional signs. Letters for signs shall be conspicuous, readily discernible and at least six inches high, except that for internally illuminated signs the height of such letters shall be at least 4 1/2 inches. (4) Exit and directional signs shall be illuminated either externally or internally by electric lights and shall be kept illuminated at all times when the building is occupied.
Schenectady, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 167 § 167-39 establishes comprehensive standards for electrical wiring, equipment, and lighting in residential buildings. All electrical systems must conform to the National Electrical Code, be properly secured, grounded, and protected against overcurrent, and must not pose fire or shock hazards. Multiple dwellings are additionally required to have illuminated exit and directional signs that remain lit whenever the building is occupied, and each dwelling unit must have a light switch near its entrance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 167-39, property owners and managers are generally expected to ensure that all electrical wiring and equipment meets National Electrical Code standards, is properly mounted, grounded, and protected by correctly rated overcurrent devices. Compliant operators routinely inspect service panels and outlets for accessibility and adequacy, verify that wiring in damp or hazardous locations uses approved materials, and confirm that exit and directional signs in multiple dwellings are properly worded, illuminated, and kept lit during occupancy. Maintaining documentation of electrical inspections and promptly addressing any identified deficiencies are practices commonly associated with ongoing compliance with § 167-39.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 167-39 of Schenectady's Code of Ordinances gives tenants the right to live in a dwelling where electrical systems are safe, properly installed, and adequately maintained, including having sufficient outlets and a light switch near the unit entrance. Tenants who observe conditions such as exposed wiring, inaccessible electrical panels, missing exit signs, or unlit exits in a multiple dwelling may have grounds to report these issues to the local code enforcement or housing authority responsible for enforcing ch. 167. Tenant-rights organizations in Schenectady can help residents understand how to document conditions, what complaints can be filed, and how § 167-39 violations may be raised 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.