Cal. Civ. Code § 5:10-8.3
Stairways and common areas
Operative Text
(a) Stairways shall be maintained to support a live load of 100 pounds per square foot and walking surfaces shall be maintained free of hazards, such as loose steps, loose or uneven treads, torn carpeting, raised strips and nonuniform risers. (b) Hallways, fire escapes, stairs, landings and passages and other common areas shall be kept open for unrestricted passage. (c) There shall be a railing to provide support and protect persons from falling off the stairways or landings. Such railings shall meet the requirement of N.J.A.C. 5:10-7.7.
Under N.J.A.C. § 5:10-8.3, stairways in residential buildings must be structurally sound enough to bear a live load of 100 pounds per square foot, and all walking surfaces must be kept free of hazards like loose steps, uneven treads, or torn carpeting. Common areas including hallways, fire escapes, landings, and passages must remain unobstructed and open for unrestricted passage at all times. Railings are required on stairways and landings to prevent falls, and those railings must conform to the additional standards set out in N.J.A.C. 5:10-7.7.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to N.J.A.C. § 5:10-8.3 generally conduct routine inspections of stairways and common areas to identify and promptly repair hazards such as loose treads, torn carpeting, or uneven risers. Compliant operators keep hallways, fire escapes, landings, and passages clear of stored items or obstructions that could impede passage. They also ensure that all stairway and landing railings are installed, structurally sound, and meet the cross-referenced requirements of N.J.A.C. 5:10-7.7.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-8.3 establishes a right for building occupants to have safe, hazard-free stairways, unobstructed common areas, and properly installed railings in their residential building. Tenants who observe conditions that appear to violate this provision — such as broken steps, blocked hallways, or missing railings — may report those conditions to the local municipal housing or code enforcement office, which has authority to inspect and require corrections. Tenant-rights organizations in New Jersey can also provide general information about how to document concerns and what remedies may be available under state housing code.
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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