Spring Valley, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 147 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 147-24
Nonhabitable space
Operative Text
A. Minimum height. Nonhabitable space, except crawl spaces and attics, in multifamily dwellings shall have a minimum height of seven (7) 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 multifamily dwellings shall be located within the dwelling units and shall be accessible from any sleeping room. (3) Unless located within dwelling units or directly connected with sleeping rooms, toilet rooms and bathrooms in multifamily dwellings shall be provided in each story containing habitable space and shall be accessible thereto. (4) Toilet rooms for employees in multifamily dwellings shall be in separate rooms for each sex where there are five (5) 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 materials. (6) In multifamily dwellings, floors of bathrooms, toilet rooms and similar spaces shall be waterproof; such waterproofing shall extend six (6) 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 appropriate for the use of such rooms. (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 one and one-half (1 1/2) square feet for bathrooms or toilet rooms and not less than three (3) square feet for kitchenettes. (b) Mechanical ventilation exhausting not less than twenty-five (25) cubic feet per minute for bathrooms and toilet rooms and not less than one hundred (100) cubic feet per minute for kitchenettes. (5) Spaces in multifamily 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.
Section 147-24 of Spring Valley, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 147 establishes physical standards for nonhabitable spaces in residential buildings. It sets a minimum ceiling height of seven feet for such spaces (excluding crawl spaces and attics), specifies where and how toilet rooms and bathrooms must be located and constructed, and requires adequate artificial lighting and ventilation in kitchenettes, bathrooms, laundry rooms, stairways, and mechanical equipment spaces. The rules vary depending on whether the building is a one- or two-family dwelling or a multifamily structure.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multifamily dwellings subject to § 147-24 generally ensure that nonhabitable spaces meet the seven-foot minimum ceiling height, that bathrooms and toilet rooms are properly located within or accessible from dwelling units, and that floors in wet areas are waterproofed with the required six-inch upward extension. Compliant operators also verify that kitchenettes, bathrooms, stairways, and mechanical rooms are equipped with appropriate artificial lighting and that ventilation systems—whether natural or mechanical—meet the square-footage and cubic-feet-per-minute thresholds specified in the provision. Buildings with five or more employees must maintain sex-segregated employee toilet rooms that do not open directly into food preparation areas.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 147-24, tenants in multifamily dwellings have a right to bathrooms and toilet rooms that are located within their dwelling unit, accessible from sleeping rooms, properly waterproofed, and equipped with adequate lighting and ventilation. If a tenant observes conditions that appear to fall short of these standards—such as inadequate ceiling heights, missing waterproofing, poor lighting on stairways, or insufficient bathroom ventilation—they may document the conditions and report them to the local code enforcement or housing authority in Spring Valley. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how these standards apply and what complaint or defense options may be available under Chapter 147.
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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