Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-23
Prohibited uses
Operative Text
(a) It shall be prohibited to use for sleeping purposes any kitchen, non-habitable space or public space. (b) It shall be prohibited, in lodging houses and rooming houses, to use for dining purposes any communal kitchen containing less than one hundred twenty (120) square feet of floor area, or any nonhabitable space or public space other than dining space. (c) It shall be prohibited to prepare meals in lodging units and rooming units. (d) It shall be prohibited to use any cellar or basement as habitable space except as provided in section 27-24 . (e) The exterior use or storage of any upholstered furniture, including mattresses, not designed or manufactured for exterior use, shall be prohibited. For the purpose of this subsection, exterior shall include, but not be limited to unenclosed porches and decks.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 3 § 27-23 establishes several space-use restrictions for residential properties. Kitchens, non-habitable spaces, and public spaces may not be used for sleeping, and cellars or basements cannot serve as habitable space unless specific conditions under § 27-24 are met. In lodging and rooming houses, communal kitchens under 120 square feet and non-designated spaces cannot be used for dining, and meals may not be prepared inside individual lodging or rooming units. Additionally, upholstered furniture—including mattresses—not designed for outdoor use cannot be stored or used on unenclosed porches, decks, or other exterior areas.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of lodging houses, rooming houses, and other residential properties subject to Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 3 § 27-23 generally ensure that sleeping arrangements are confined to properly designated habitable spaces and that no tenant is housed in a kitchen, cellar, basement (unless § 27-24 conditions are satisfied), or other non-habitable area. Compliant operators of rooming and lodging houses maintain communal kitchens of at least 120 square feet if those spaces are to be used for dining, and they do not permit meal preparation within individual units. Property managers also routinely inspect exterior areas such as unenclosed porches and decks to confirm that indoor upholstered furniture and mattresses are not being stored or used outside.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 3 § 27-23, tenants have a right to occupy only properly designated habitable spaces—meaning a landlord generally cannot place sleeping arrangements in kitchens, non-habitable rooms, or cellars unless the basement meets the requirements of § 27-24. If a tenant believes their unit or building is in violation of these space-use restrictions, they may consider documenting the conditions and filing a complaint with the appropriate Syracuse code enforcement authority. Tenant-rights organizations in the Syracuse area can help residents understand how these provisions apply to their housing situation and what complaint or defense options may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 1, 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
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.