Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 245-183
Natural light
Operative Text
A. Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight or transparent or translucent panels or any combination thereof facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum aggregate area available for unobstructed light shall be at least 10% of the floor area of such rooms. B. Whenever an obstruction is higher than the top of the window and less than five feet from it, such window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors or be included as contributing to the total window area.
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 § 245-183 establishes that every habitable room must receive natural light through at least one window, skylight, or translucent panel that opens directly to the outside. The combined unobstructed light-admitting area must equal at least 10% of the room's floor area. A window or panel is not counted toward this requirement if an obstruction taller than the window's top edge sits within five feet of it, since such an obstruction prevents direct outdoor exposure.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Sleepy Hollow Code § 245-183, compliant operators ensure that every habitable room contains qualifying windows, skylights, or translucent panels whose total unobstructed area meets the 10% floor-area threshold. Property managers typically survey each room to confirm that no nearby obstruction—such as a fence, wall, or structure—rises above the window top within five feet, which would disqualify that opening from counting toward the required aggregate. Routine inspections of both new construction and existing units help verify that natural-light conditions remain in compliance as site conditions change over time.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 245-183 of the Sleepy Hollow Code gives occupants of habitable rooms the right to a minimum level of natural light, ensured by qualifying windows or skylights totaling at least 10% of the room's floor area. If a room appears to lack adequate natural light—or if a nearby obstruction may be disqualifying a window under the provision's five-foot rule—tenants can document the conditions with photographs and measurements. General enforcement paths include contacting the local building or housing code enforcement office, raising the condition as a habitability concern, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for 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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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