Cal. Civ. Code § 231
Egress
Operative Text
§ 231. Egress. 1. Every non-fireproof tenement exceeding two stories in height and every fireproof tenement erected after May sixteenth, nineteen hundred thirteen, shall have at least two independent means of egress, which shall extend from the ground story to the roof, be located remote from each other and be separated from each other by walls. 2. One of such means of egress shall be a flight of stairs constructed as provided in sections two hundred thirty-three to two hundred thirty-eight inclusive; but this sentence shall not be construed to require any alteration in the material or width of any stair or its treads and risers lawfully permitted on April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine. 3. The other required means of egress shall be directly accessible at each story to each apartment without having to pass through the first means of egress. Such other means of egress shall be any one of the following, as the owner may elect: a. A system of outside fire-escapes constructed as provided in section fifty-three. b. An additional stair, either inside or outside, constructed and arranged as provided in sections two hundred thirty-three to two hundred thirty-eight inclusive. c. A fire-tower or fire-stair constructed and arranged as provided in section two hundred thirty-nine. d. Except as provided in subdivision nine of section fifty-three, any means of egress lawfully permitted on April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, except wire, chain, cable, vertical ladder, or rope fire-escapes.
N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 231 requires that non-fireproof tenements taller than two stories, and fireproof tenements built after May 16, 1913, must have at least two separate, independent ways to exit the building — each running from the ground floor to the roof, positioned away from each other, and divided by walls. One of these exits must be a code-compliant stairway, while the second can take the form of an exterior fire escape, an additional stairway, a fire-tower, or another lawfully permitted means. Critically, every apartment must be able to reach the second exit at each floor without first passing through the primary stairway.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of covered tenements under N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 231 generally ensure that both required egress paths are maintained in continuous, accessible condition from ground to roof, with each path structurally separated from the other. A compliant building owner confirms that every apartment at every floor has direct access to the secondary egress route — whether that is a fire escape, additional stair, or fire-tower — without residents needing to pass through the primary stairwell. Routine inspections and documentation of both egress systems are practices commonly associated with ongoing compliance under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 231, residents of qualifying tenements have a right to two independent, separated egress paths that are directly accessible from their floor without routing through the primary stairway. If a secondary exit appears blocked, structurally compromised, or inaccessible, tenants may report the condition to the New York City Department of Buildings or the relevant local housing authority, or raise the violation in a housing court proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how § 231 requirements apply to their building type and what complaint or enforcement options 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 September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.