Cal. Civ. Code § 5:10-10.1
Screens
Operative Text
(a) Screens suited to protect the interior of the building against mosquitoes, flies and other undesirable insects shall be provided and kept in good repair for each exterior door (except as otherwise provided in exception 2 below) and each openable window in habitable and occupiable rooms and common areas. Screens shall be installed and maintained by the owner on all such doors and windows at least from May 1 to October 1 of each year. All screens required pursuant hereto shall be affixed either to the window frame or to the upper sash and the window frame. Fixed windows need not be provided with screens. 1. Exception 1: In transient nonresidential hotels in coastal areas where it is demonstrated to the department that screens are not necessary above the ground floor. 2. Exception 2: Exterior doors which do not provide any portion of the minimum ventilation area of at least four percent of the floor area of the room or space ventilated. 3. Exception 3: Screens shall not be required for dwelling units or common areas on the sixth floor and above. 4. Exception 4: Screens are not required on windows or exterior doors in areas and spaces where a central mechanical ventilation system is provided which conforms to applicable construction codes of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code. 5. Exception 5: In areas used for storage purposes only.
Under N.J.A.C. § 5:10-10.1, residential building owners are required to provide and maintain insect screens on exterior doors and openable windows in habitable rooms, occupiable rooms, and common areas during the period from May 1 through October 1 each year. Screens must be properly fitted to the window frame or upper sash and kept in good repair. Several exceptions apply, including units on the sixth floor and above, areas served by qualifying central mechanical ventilation systems, storage-only spaces, and certain exterior doors that do not contribute to minimum ventilation requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties subject to N.J.A.C. § 5:10-10.1 generally ensure that compliant insect screens are installed on all applicable exterior doors and openable windows no later than May 1 and kept in place through October 1 each year. Screens are typically secured to the window frame or upper sash and inspected regularly to confirm they remain in good repair throughout the season. Owners should also document which units or areas qualify for one of the five enumerated exceptions — such as sixth-floor-and-above units or spaces with qualifying central mechanical ventilation — so that compliance records accurately reflect the property's configuration.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-10.1 gives tenants in covered units the right to have functional insect screens on exterior doors and openable windows from May 1 through October 1 each year, provided their unit or space does not fall under one of the provision's listed exceptions. If screens are missing, damaged, or improperly installed during that seasonal window, tenants may consider documenting the condition in writing and notifying the landlord of the deficiency. Tenants who do not receive a timely response can explore options such as filing a complaint with the local housing or code enforcement office, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization familiar with New Jersey housing maintenance standards.
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 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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