Cal. Civ. Code § 5:10-19.1
Hotels
Operative Text
(a) The following provisions apply to hotels: 1. Entrance doors to dwelling units shall be equipped with a medium duty dead latching lockset (series 160, FF-H-106c, minimum, with a minimum 11/16 inch by 1/2 inch with 1/2 inch minimum throw latch bolt with automatic deadlocking plunger, or ANSI/BHMA 156.2 Grade 2) or with a dead bolt separate from the latch set. 2. Such entrance doors shall also be equipped with either a viewing device installed on the designated main entrance door to the dwelling unit located so as to enable a person on the inside of the entrance door to view a person immediately outside, or with a chain door guard so installed as to permit partial opening of the door; provided, however, that chain door guards shall not be installed as an alternative to viewing devices in dormitories. 3. All openable windows, sliding doors, basement windows and windows opening onto exterior stairways, fire escapes, porches, terraces, balconies or other areas affording easy access to the premises shall be equipped with a locking device of some kind. 4. Grilles lockable from the inside only may be placed on the inside or outside of windows only if the windows do not serve to provide access to exits.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-19.1 establishes minimum physical security standards for dwelling units located in hotels in New Jersey. Entrance doors must be fitted with a specified grade of dead-latching lockset or a separate dead bolt, and must also include either a door viewer (peephole) or a chain door guard so occupants can identify or partially screen visitors before fully opening the door. All openable windows and sliding doors that provide accessible entry points—including those leading to fire escapes, balconies, or exterior stairways—must have some form of locking device, and interior-only lockable grilles may be added to windows that do not serve as exit paths.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating hotels subject to N.J.A.C. § 5:10-19.1 generally maintain entrance doors that meet or exceed the specified lockset grade (ANSI/BHMA 156.2 Grade 2 or equivalent) and include either a functioning door viewer or a chain door guard on each designated main entrance. Compliant operators also ensure that every openable window or sliding door offering exterior access is equipped with a working locking device, and that any window grilles are lockable from the inside only and are not installed on windows that serve as required exit routes. Routine inspections of these hardware components help operators identify worn or missing devices before they become code deficiencies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Occupants of hotel dwelling units covered by N.J.A.C. § 5:10-19.1 have a right to entrance doors equipped with the specified locking hardware and a means—either a peephole or chain door guard—to screen visitors without fully opening the door. If locking devices on windows, sliding doors, or the entrance door are missing or broken, tenants may document the condition and report it to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which oversees hotel housing code compliance under N.J.A.C. § 5:10. Tenant-rights organizations can help occupants understand available complaint processes and how a landlord's failure to maintain required security hardware may be raised in relevant proceedings.
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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