Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 245-192
Installation and maintenance
Operative Text
A. Within 60 days after the effective date of this article, every person who owns, manages or controls a dwelling containing four or more rental units shall provide, install and maintain a window guard of a type acceptable to the Building Department of the Village of Sleepy Hollow ("Building Department") on all windows in each apartment not on a ground floor where a child or children 10 years of age or under reside and on all windows in the common public halls. (1) It shall be the duty of each person required to provide, install and maintain a window guard to ascertain whether such children reside therein. (2) Installation shall be made in accordance with specifications provided by the Building Department. (3) This section shall not apply to windows giving access to fire escapes or to first-floor windows or windows that are a required means of emergency egress from the dwelling. B. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: STORY That portion of a building included between the surface of any floor and the surface of the floor next above it. If there is no floor above it, then it shall be the space between the floor and ceiling next above it. A cellar shall not be counted as a story in determining building height. C. No one shall obstruct or interfere with the installation of the window guards required by Subsection A , nor shall any person remove such window guards without written permission from the Building Department. D. Every person who owns, manages or controls a building with rental units is required to provide, install and maintain window guards when so requested by any resident, even when a child in the protected category does not reside in the subject apartment, within 30 days of a written request to do so. E. Whenever a violation is found to exist, the Building Department may order any person required to provide, install and maintain window guards to do so. In the event that such order is not complied with within five days after service thereof, the Building Department may issue appearance tickets to enforce compliance with this article. No certificate of occupancy or letter of legal nonconformity shall be issued by the Building Department unless the building in question is in compliance with this section.Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 § 245-192 requires owners, managers, and controllers of buildings with four or more rental units to install and maintain approved window guards on all non-ground-floor apartment windows where children age 10 or under live, as well as on common hall windows. Any resident may also request window guards even if no young child lives in their unit, and the owner must comply within 30 days of a written request. Removing or obstructing these guards without written permission from the Building Department is prohibited, and windows serving as fire-escape access or required emergency egress are exempt from the requirement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to § 245-192 of the Sleepy Hollow Code generally take steps to determine whether children age 10 or under reside in any above-ground-floor unit, then procure and install window guards meeting Building Department specifications within the timeframes the ordinance sets out. Compliant operators also respond to written resident requests for window guards within 30 days, even when no qualifying child lives in the unit. Keeping records of installation, written requests, and any Building Department correspondence helps demonstrate ongoing compliance, since the Department can issue appearance tickets for orders not resolved within five days and may withhold certificates of occupancy for non-compliant buildings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 245-192 of the Sleepy Hollow Code, tenants have the right to request window guards in writing even if no child under 11 lives in the apartment, and the owner or manager is required to install them within 30 days of that written request. If a landlord fails to comply or removes guards without Building Department authorization, a tenant may report the condition to the Sleepy Hollow Building Department, which has authority to issue orders and appearance tickets to enforce compliance. Tenants who encounter resistance or need help understanding their options can reach out to a local tenant-rights organization or housing clinic for general guidance.
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.
Effective Timeline
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