Cal. Civ. Code § 5:10-27.5
Additional specifications for window guards for other than double hung windows
Operative Text
(a) Window guards intended for casements, sliders and other types or combinations of windows in which the height of the openings is not subject to limitation, shall be of such size as to fill the entire aperture, and shall reject passage of a solid four-inch sphere at every space or interval. (b) Except as otherwise provided in (c) below, sliding windows and vertical pivoting windows may be equipped with stopping devices in place of window guards as follows: 1. For sliding windows, solid metal blocks, measuring at least one-half the depth of the window track and one-half the width, shall be securely fastened into the bottom and upper window tracks to prevent the window from opening four inches or more. 2. For vertical pivoting windows, metal stopping devices shall be securely fastened to the upper and lower window frames so as to prevent the window from pivoting open four inches or more. The height of the stopping devices shall extend no less than one inch nor more than two inches beyond the window frame as needed to stop the window. The protruding edge of the stopping device shall be smooth and rounded. (c) Use of such stopping devices in lieu of window guards shall be allowed within dwelling units only where they do not preclude meeting the requirement, as per N.J.A.C. 5:10-16.2, that the total openable window and/or openable skylight area in each room be equal to at least four percent of the floor area of the room.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-27.5 establishes technical requirements for window guards and stopping devices used on non-double-hung windows, including casements, sliders, and pivoting windows. Guards must cover the full window opening and block any gap large enough for a four-inch sphere to pass through. As an alternative to full guards, sliding and vertical pivoting windows may use approved metal stopping devices that physically prevent the window from opening four or more inches, provided the substitution does not reduce required ventilation below the minimum set by N.J.A.C. 5:10-16.2.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators managing properties subject to N.J.A.C. § 5:10-27.5 generally ensure that any window guard installed on a casement, slider, or other non-double-hung window covers the entire aperture and blocks passage of a four-inch sphere at every gap. Where stopping devices are used instead of guards on sliding or vertical pivoting windows, compliant operators verify that the metal blocks or stopping devices are securely fastened and meet the dimensional specifications in the provision. Before substituting stopping devices for guards, operators also confirm that the room's total openable window area still meets the four-percent-of-floor-area ventilation threshold required under N.J.A.C. 5:10-16.2.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-27.5 gives tenants a basis to expect that window guards or approved stopping devices on non-double-hung windows meet specific safety standards, including blocking any opening large enough for a four-inch sphere to pass through. If a window guard or stopping device appears improperly installed, incomplete, or missing where required, tenants may raise this as a housing code concern with local code enforcement or a housing inspection authority. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how this provision interacts with broader window-guard and ventilation requirements under New Jersey's housing regulations.
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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