Cal. Civ. Code § 5:10-14.5
Space heaters
Operative Text
(a) Space heaters shall be so installed, located and maintained so as to exhaust the products of combustion to the outside air (unless the appliance is labeled as having been tested and approved for unvented operation, in compliance with the State Uniform Construction Code), to prevent a fire hazard by being sufficiently removed or insulated from surrounding material, to be permanently affixed so that the heater cannot be moved by occupants, and not to constitute a hazard to persons using the premises in close proximity to the heater by reason of chance contact or by reason of lack of fresh air supply. (b) Space heaters shall be installed in such a manner that all habitable rooms will be heated to the required temperature, with no room more than five degrees Fahrenheit higher in temperature than the other rooms. If the temperature varies over five degrees Fahrenheit, other heaters must be installed to give uniform heating of all habitable rooms. (c) Electric and gas space heaters shall be permitted providing they meet standards established by the Underwriters' Laboratories.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-14.5 governs how space heaters may be installed and used in residential dwellings in New Jersey. The rule requires that space heaters exhaust combustion byproducts to the outside (unless specifically approved for unvented use), be permanently fixed so occupants cannot move them, and be positioned or insulated to prevent fire hazards and personal injury. Additionally, heaters must distribute warmth evenly across all habitable rooms, with no room varying more than five degrees Fahrenheit from another, and only electric or gas models meeting Underwriters' Laboratories standards are permitted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.A.C. § 5:10-14.5, compliant property operators generally ensure that any space heater is permanently affixed to prevent occupant relocation, properly vented to the exterior unless the unit carries an approved unvented label, and positioned or insulated to eliminate fire and contact hazards. Operators also verify that heating is distributed evenly across all habitable rooms, adding supplemental heaters if any room deviates more than five degrees Fahrenheit from the others. Only electric or gas space heaters bearing Underwriters' Laboratories certification are acceptable under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-14.5 establishes that tenants are entitled to space heaters that are safely installed, permanently fixed, properly vented, and capable of heating all habitable rooms within five degrees Fahrenheit of one another. If a space heater in a rental unit appears to be movable, unvented without proper approval, or creates uneven heating beyond the allowed threshold, these conditions may constitute a housing code violation. Tenants who believe this provision is not being met can document the conditions, raise the issue with their landlord in writing, file a complaint with their local municipal housing or code enforcement office, or seek guidance from a tenant-rights organization.
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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