Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 245-141
Light and ventilation in public areas
Operative Text
A. Public spaces in residential buildings shall be provided with artificial light. B. In multiple dwellings, stairways and passageways shall be provided at all times with a minimum of two footcandles of light or more as deemed necessary by the Building Inspector so as to afford safe passage. C. Every laundry, furnace room and all similar nonhabitable work space shall have either adequate natural or artificial lighting available at all times. D. In two-family houses, an on/off switch shall be conveniently located at both ends of a shared stairway and passageway, to be used when necessary. Footcandle requirements shall comply with Subsection B above. E. Public spaces shall be provided with either natural ventilation conforming to the requirements for habitable space or with approved mechanical ventilation.
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 § 245-141 establishes lighting and ventilation standards for shared and non-habitable areas in residential buildings. Stairways and passageways in multi-unit dwellings must maintain at least two footcandles of artificial light at all times, with the Building Inspector authorized to require more where safety demands it. Non-habitable work spaces such as laundry and furnace rooms must have adequate natural or artificial lighting available at all times, and all public spaces must have either natural or approved mechanical ventilation meeting habitable-space standards. Two-family homes with shared stairways must have conveniently placed on/off switches at both ends of those shared paths.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 § 245-141, compliant residential building operators generally ensure that all shared corridors, stairways, and passageways maintain continuous artificial lighting at or above the two-footcandle minimum, and that laundry rooms, furnace rooms, and similar work spaces have reliable lighting at all times. Operators of two-family homes typically install on/off switches at both ends of any shared stairway or passageway to satisfy the dual-switch requirement. Ventilation systems in public spaces are generally maintained to meet either natural ventilation standards equivalent to habitable space or approved mechanical ventilation specifications, and operators remain attentive to any additional lighting levels the Building Inspector may deem necessary for safe passage.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 § 245-141 gives residents of multi-unit buildings a basis to expect continuously lit stairways and passageways meeting at least a two-footcandle standard, as well as properly lit work spaces and adequately ventilated common areas. If lighting or ventilation in shared spaces appears deficient, tenants may document the conditions and consider raising the issue with the Sleepy Hollow Building Inspector, who holds authority under this provision to evaluate and require corrective measures. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing advocacy groups can help residents understand what options may be available, including how a violation of § 245-141 might be raised in relevant 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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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