Cal. Civ. Code § 5:10-17.4
Refrigerators and similar equipment
Operative Text
The owner shall first remove the doors of any refrigerators or other such equipment with exterior closing devices likely to be hazardous to children, if stored on the premises.
Under N.J.A.C. § 5:10-17.4, when a refrigerator or similar appliance with an exterior closing mechanism is stored on a property, the owner is required to remove its doors before leaving it in place. The rule targets equipment whose latching or sealing doors could trap a child inside, posing a serious safety hazard. This requirement applies to storage on the premises, not merely to appliances in active use.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to N.J.A.C. § 5:10-17.4 generally ensure that any refrigerator or similar appliance with an exterior closing device is de-doored before it is stored anywhere on the premises. Compliant operators typically inspect stored or discarded appliances promptly and document the removal of doors as part of routine property maintenance. Keeping a record of when and how doors were removed can support a showing of compliance during inspections.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-17.4 establishes a clear owner obligation to remove doors from stored refrigerators and similar equipment with exterior closing devices that could endanger children. If a tenant observes such appliances stored on the property with doors intact, this may constitute a housing code violation that can be reported to the local municipal housing or code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how to document conditions and what complaint processes may be available.
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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