Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 245-16
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 space 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 with either natural ventilation, conforming to the requirements for habitable space, or with mechanical ventilation.
Section 245-16 of Sleepy Hollow's Code of Ordinances establishes minimum physical standards for public spaces in buildings, covering ceiling height, lighting, and ventilation. Public spaces must be at least seven feet six inches tall from finished floor to finished ceiling, must have artificial lighting that meets specific wattage and fixture-spacing requirements, and must be ventilated either naturally or mechanically. Stairways and passageways are subject to particularly detailed electric lighting requirements to ensure safe passage at all times.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of buildings subject to § 245-16 generally ensure that all public spaces meet the seven-foot-six-inch minimum ceiling height and that lighting fixtures in stairs, stairways, and passageways are spaced no more than 30 feet apart, with no wall more than 15 feet from a fixture. Compliant operators verify that incandescent or fluorescent lamps meet the minimum wattage-per-square-foot thresholds set out in § 245-16, rounding up to the next standard lamp size when calculated wattage falls between standard sizes. Ventilation in public spaces is maintained through either natural ventilation meeting habitable-space standards or an approved mechanical ventilation system.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 245-16, tenants and building users have a right to public spaces — including stairways and passageways — that are adequately lit at all times and properly ventilated, in addition to meeting the minimum ceiling height of seven feet six inches. If a public space in a building appears to fall short of these standards, residents may consider documenting the conditions and raising the issue with the building owner or manager as a first step. Tenant-rights organizations or the local code enforcement office in Sleepy Hollow can provide information about how to file a complaint or raise a § 245-16 violation through available channels.
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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