Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 245-17
Nonhabitable space
Operative Text
A. Height. Nonhabitable space, except crawl spaces and attics, in multiple dwellings shall have a minimum height of seven feet measured from floor to ceiling. B. Toilet rooms and bathrooms. (1) Toilet rooms and bathrooms in one- and two-family dwellings shall have provisions for privacy. (2) Toilet rooms and bathrooms for dwelling units in multiple dwellings shall be located within the dwelling units and shall be accessible from any sleeping room without passing through any other sleeping room. (3) Unless located within dwelling units or directly connected with sleeping rooms, toilet rooms and bathrooms in multiple dwellings shall be provided in each story containing habitable space and shall be accessible thereto. (4) Toilet rooms for employees in multiple dwellings shall be in separate rooms for each sex where there are five or more employees, shall be readily accessible to such employees and shall not open directly into any public kitchen or other public space used for the cooking or preparation of food. (5) In one- and two-family dwellings, bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with floors of moisture-resistant material. (6) In multiple dwellings, floors of bathrooms, toilet rooms and similar spaces shall be waterproof; such waterproofing shall extend six inches or more above floors except at doors, so that floors can be flushed or washed without leaking. C. Light and ventilation. (1) Kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with artificial light. (2) Laundry rooms, furnace rooms and similar nonhabitable space shall be provided with artificial light appropriate for the intended use of such rooms. (3) Stairs shall be provided with artificial light to allow safe ascent or descent. (4) Kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with ventilation in accordance with either of the following: (a) Natural ventilation as required for habitable space, except that such openable areas shall be not less than 1 1/2 square feet for bathrooms or toilet rooms and not less than three square feet for kitchenettes; or (b) Mechanical ventilation exhausting not less than 25 cfm for bathrooms and toilet rooms and not less than 100 cfm for kitchenettes. (5) Spaces in multiple dwellings which contain central-heat-producing, air-conditioning and other equipment shall be ventilated to the outer air, and air from these spaces shall not be recirculated to other parts of the building. (6) Ventilation shall be provided in unheated attics, spaces below flat roofs and crawl spaces. Location and net areas of ventilation openings shall be such as to minimize deterioration of structural members from condensation or other causes, in conformity with generally accepted standards.
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 § 245-17 establishes minimum physical standards for nonhabitable spaces in residential buildings. It sets a seven-foot floor-to-ceiling height requirement for most nonhabitable areas, specifies where bathrooms and toilet rooms must be located and how they must be accessed, and mandates moisture-resistant or waterproof flooring in those rooms. The provision also requires artificial lighting in kitchenettes, bathrooms, stairways, laundry rooms, and similar spaces, and sets out specific natural or mechanical ventilation standards for those areas.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to ch. 245 § 245-17 generally ensure that all nonhabitable spaces outside of crawl spaces and attics meet the seven-foot ceiling minimum, and that bathrooms and toilet rooms are positioned so residents can reach them from sleeping rooms without passing through another sleeping room. Compliant buildings feature waterproof bathroom and toilet-room floors with waterproofing extending at least six inches up the wall, and provide artificial lighting in all required spaces including stairways. Ventilation systems in kitchenettes, bathrooms, and toilet rooms are maintained to meet either the natural-opening minimums or the mechanical exhaust rates specified in § 245-17(C).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under ch. 245 § 245-17, residents of one- and two-family dwellings and multiple dwellings have a right to bathrooms and toilet rooms that meet privacy, accessibility, flooring, lighting, and ventilation standards set by Sleepy Hollow's code. If a bathroom lacks adequate waterproofing, lighting, or ventilation, or if a toilet room is not accessible without passing through another sleeping room, these conditions may constitute code violations. Tenants who believe their unit falls short of these standards can document the conditions, contact Sleepy Hollow's local code enforcement or building department, or reach out to a tenant-rights organization for general guidance on available options.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation