Yonkers, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 58 § 58-9
Additional requirements for temporary residences
Operative Text
The following shall be considered requirements for operating and maintaining a rooming house in addition to the requirements of the New York Uniform Code and the Yonkers Fire and Building Code: A. Ventilation. Beds shall be placed at least three feet apart, and neither side of any bed shall be at any time nearer than three feet to the side of any other bed. B. Beds and bedding. In every rooming house there shall be provided for each person a separate bed with bedstead, bedding and bedclothes satisfactory to the Commissioner. All mattresses shall be provided with waterproof covering and shall be arranged as to be at all times easily capable of thorough inspection. C. An adequate supply of clean, individual towels shall be provided. The use of a common towel is prohibited. D. A proprietor of a rooming house shall keep a register containing the name and prior address of all persons housed therein. Such register shall be available at all times to any authorized representative of the Department. Any failure to register the names or any false entry contained in such register shall be deemed a violation.
Section 58-9 of the Yonkers Code of Ordinances establishes specific operational standards for rooming houses that go beyond state and local building codes. These requirements cover physical spacing between beds, the quality and condition of bedding and mattresses, the provision of individual clean towels (with a ban on shared towels), and the maintenance of a guest register recording each resident's name and prior address. The register must be accessible to authorized city representatives at all times, and any failure to record names or any false entry in the register is treated as a violation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rooming houses in Yonkers must comply with the layered requirements of § 58-9 in addition to state and local building codes. A compliant operator maintains bed spacing of at least three feet on all sides, supplies each resident with a separate bed and waterproof-covered mattress satisfactory to the Commissioner, and provides individual clean towels rather than shared ones. Operators also keep an up-to-date register of every resident's name and prior address, ensure it is available to Department representatives at any time, and take care that all entries are accurate, since omissions or false entries constitute violations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 58-9 gives residents of Yonkers rooming houses the right to expect certain baseline conditions, including adequate bed spacing, individually assigned bedding with a waterproof mattress cover, and personal clean towels rather than a shared towel. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may document the conditions and file a complaint with the City of Yonkers Department of Housing and Buildings, which has authority to inspect rooming houses and review the required guest register. Tenant-rights organizations in Westchester County can help residents understand what remedies may be available under this provision.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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