Cal. Civ. Code § 5:10-13.1
Electrical service
Operative Text
(a) There shall be maintained in good operational condition in every multiple dwelling and hotel, electrical service which shall comply with the electrical requirements in effect at the time the structure first became a multiple dwelling or hotel. (b) The following electrical installations shall be provided and hereafter properly maintained in all hotels and multiple dwellings: 1. All entrances and exits shall be illuminated by exterior lights sufficient to provide safe passage for persons of normal vision. Exterior lighting fixtures shall be controlled by interior wall switches, located for convenient and readily accessible use except if such lights are controlled by an automatic timer or photoelectric control device. 2. Every kitchen shall be provided with a minimum of two duplex receptacle outlets. 3. Each basement shall be wired for a minimum of one lighting fixture for use as general illumination. All enclosed areas to which occupants of the building have access shall be provided with at least one lighting fixture. Stairwell and laundry area lighting fixtures shall not be counted as part of the required basement lighting fixtures. 4. Laundry areas shall be provided with illumination. The laundry circuit shall be an individual circuit. A wall-mounted grounding type duplex receptacle outlet shall be provided, located near the laundry equipment. 5. Heating equipment requiring electrical energy for operation or control shall be provided with an individual circuit. 6. Service and circuiting shall be adequate for the electrical load being served. If the electrical load in a building is excessive, the load shall be reduced or service shall be increased so as to be adequate. 7. Existing wiring and equipment shall be kept in good repair. (c) Over-current protection devices shall be provided. Under no circumstances shall the capacity of over-current protection devices exceed the rated capacity of all connected wiring as determined by the National Electrical Code. (d) No extension lines shall be utilized except in conformity with the following standards: 1. No cords shall be used which are not listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. 2. Maximum length shall not exceed eight feet and minimum wire size shall not be less than No. 18 (AWG). 3. No extension cord shall be used that is rated for a lower current carrying capacity than is required by the appliance(s) to which it is connected. 4. No extension cord shall pass under any rug or carpet or across any path of travel or be used in any other location where it would create a hazardous condition. 5. No frayed, worn or otherwise damaged extension cord shall be used. (e) There shall be available in each habitable room sufficient electrical outlets to enable occupants to utilize the room for function for which it is designed without use of loose cords or extension lines prohibited in (d)4 above.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-13.1 establishes baseline electrical service standards for multiple dwellings and hotels in New Jersey. The rule requires that electrical systems meet the code in effect when the building was first classified as a multiple dwelling or hotel, and it mandates specific installations—such as exterior lighting at entrances, kitchen receptacles, basement lighting, and dedicated circuits for laundry and heating equipment. The provision also restricts the use of extension cords, limiting their length, condition, and placement, and requires that each habitable room have enough outlets so occupants can use the space without relying on prohibited cord arrangements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to N.J.A.C. § 5:10-13.1 generally keep all electrical systems in good repair and verify that installations—including exterior lighting, kitchen duplex outlets, basement fixtures, and individual circuits for laundry and heating—are present and functioning. Compliant operators routinely inspect wiring and over-current protection devices to ensure they do not exceed the rated capacity of connected wiring as defined by the National Electrical Code. Operators also monitor common areas and habitable rooms to confirm that outlet availability is sufficient to discourage tenants from using extension cords in ways prohibited by the regulation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.J.A.C. § 5:10-13.1, tenants in New Jersey multiple dwellings and hotels are entitled to properly maintained electrical service, including adequate lighting at entrances and exits, functioning kitchen outlets, and illuminated common areas such as basements and laundry rooms. If electrical conditions in a unit or common area appear to fall short of these standards—such as missing outlets, broken fixtures, or overloaded circuits—tenants may document the conditions and report them to the local housing or code enforcement office that oversees compliance with the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what complaint processes may be available at the local or state level.
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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