Spring Valley, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 147 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 147-20
Maximum occupancy
Operative Text
A. Dwelling units. In dwelling units, the maximum number of occupants shall be limited to the number determined on the basis of the floor areas of habitable rooms, other than kitchens, as follows: one (1) occupant per room having floor area of at least eighty (80) square feet; two (2) occupants per room having floor area of at least one hundred twenty (120) square feet; and three (3) occupants per room having floor area of at least one hundred eighty (180) square feet. B. Lodging units. In lodging units, the maximum number of occupants shall be limited to the number determined on the same basis as for dwelling units. C. Clubs, dormitories, etc. In buildings occupied as clubs, dormitories or sorority or fraternity houses and providing sleeping accommodations for more than five (5) persons, the maximum number of occupants so accommodated in any habitable room shall be limited to the number determined on the basis of the floor area, in square feet, of the room divided by fifty (50) square feet per occupant.
Section 147-20 of Spring Valley, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 147 establishes maximum occupancy limits for residential spaces based on the floor area of habitable rooms, excluding kitchens. For standard dwelling and lodging units, the rule ties the number of permitted occupants to specific square-footage thresholds per room — for example, a room must have at least 80 square feet for one occupant, 120 square feet for two, and 180 square feet for three. For group living arrangements such as clubs, dormitories, and fraternity or sorority houses with more than five sleeping occupants, the limit is calculated by dividing the room's square footage by 50 square feet per occupant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential rental properties in Spring Valley must ensure that no dwelling or lodging unit is occupied by more people than the floor-area-based limits set out in § 147-20 allow. Compliant property managers typically document the square footage of each habitable room (excluding kitchens) and use those measurements to establish the maximum occupancy for each unit before leasing. Operators of clubs, dormitories, or Greek-letter houses with sleeping accommodations for more than five persons apply the separate per-50-square-foot calculation under § 147-20(C) to each sleeping room.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 147-20 of Spring Valley's housing code gives occupants a right to live in spaces that meet minimum per-person floor-area standards, which can serve as a protection against overcrowding. If a tenant believes a landlord is renting a unit in violation of these occupancy limits, that concern can generally be raised with the local code enforcement or housing authority, or noted as a potential defense in relevant housing proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Spring Valley, N.Y., ordinances can help residents understand how § 147-20 applies to their living situation.
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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