Thomaston, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 116 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 116-9
Public space
Operative Text
A. Height. Public space shall have a minimum height of seven feet six inches, measured from finished floor to finished ceiling. B. Light and ventilation. (1) Public spaces shall be provided with artificial light. (2) In public stairs, stairways and passageways, artificial light shall be electric lighting available at all times so as to afford safe passage for occupants and users. Such lighting shall conform to the following: (a) A sufficient number of fixtures shall be provided so that the distance between fixtures is not more than 30 feet and so that no wall is more than 15 feet distant from a fixture. (b) Incandescent lighting shall be based on not less than one-fourth (1/4) watt per square foot of floor area, except that each fixture shall have a lamp or lamps with a total of not less than 25 watts. (c) Fluorescent lighting shall be based on not less than one-tenth (1/10) watt per square foot of floor area, except that each fixture shall have a lamp or lamps of a total of not less than 15 watts. (d) Where under these formulas the calculated wattage does not correspond to that of a standard lamp, the next larger size shall be used. (3) Public spaces shall be provided with either natural ventilation, conforming to the requirements for habitable space, or with mechanical ventilation.
Section 116-9 of Thomaston, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 116 establishes minimum physical standards for public spaces in buildings. Ceilings in these areas must be at least seven feet six inches high, and all public spaces must have adequate artificial lighting and either natural or mechanical ventilation. Stairways, passageways, and public stairs face additional specific requirements for electric lighting, including rules about fixture spacing, wattage minimums, and the type of bulb used.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of buildings subject to § 116-9 of Thomaston's Code generally ensure that all public spaces meet the seven-foot-six-inch ceiling height minimum and are equipped with compliant artificial lighting. For stairways and passageways, compliant operators install electric lighting that is available at all times, space fixtures no more than 30 feet apart, and select bulbs meeting the wattage minimums for incandescent or fluorescent sources as specified in the provision. Ventilation in public spaces is addressed either through natural ventilation meeting habitable-space standards or through a mechanical ventilation system.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents and users of buildings in Thomaston can look to § 116-9 of Chapter 116 to understand the baseline standards their building's public spaces—including stairways and passageways—are expected to meet regarding ceiling height, lighting, and ventilation. If a public area appears to fall short of these standards, such as inadequate lighting in a stairwell or a ceiling below the required height, that condition may be reportable to the local code enforcement or building department. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New York municipal housing codes can help explain what options may be available when a building appears to be out of compliance.
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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