Cal. Civ. Code § 234
Stairs and public halls
Operative Text
§ 234. Stairs and public halls. 1. In every tenement erected after April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twelve, all stairs shall extend from the entrance story to the roof, except as otherwise provided in section two hundred thirty-three, and the stairs and public halls shall each be at least three feet in clear width. Every apartment in such a tenement shall be directly accessible at each story to such stairs and public halls, and every story of such apartment shall be so accessible to such a stair and public hall or to a tower fire-escape or stairway, as provided in this section and sections two hundred thirty-five to two hundred thirty-nine inclusive. 2. In every tenement erected after April twelfth, nineteen hundred one, except as provided in paragraph b of subdivision two of section two hundred thirty-eight, all stairs and public halls shall be completely separated from all other stairs and from every elevator by brick walls or partitions of terra cotta blocks at least four inches thick, or hollow cement blocks at least four inches thick which have successfully withstood a three-hour standard fire test and been approved by the department and have fireproof doors and assemblies with the doors self-closing at all openings. From any portion of a public hall in such a tenement there may be a recess which shall not be deemed a public hall if the walls, floor and ceilings enclosing it are fire-retarded and such recess is at all times adequately lighted by electric lights of at least fifteen watts or equivalent illumination. Such a recess shall not be more than twenty feet long and shall not be used as a means of egress from more than three apartments.
N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 234 establishes structural and fire-separation requirements for stairs and public halls in tenements built after specified dates in the early twentieth century. For buildings erected after April 18, 1912, stairs must run continuously from the entrance floor to the roof and must be at least three feet wide, with every apartment directly accessible to those stairs and halls at each story. For tenements built after April 12, 1901, stairs and public halls must be physically separated from other stairs and elevators by fire-resistant walls or partitions meeting defined material and thickness standards, with self-closing fireproof doors at all openings. Recesses off public halls are permitted under limited conditions, including fire-retarded enclosures, adequate electric lighting, and restrictions on length and the number of apartments they serve.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of tenements subject to N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 234 generally maintain stairways that run the full height of the building and keep public hall widths at no less than three feet clear. Compliant managers ensure that the fire-separation assemblies—brick, terra cotta, or approved hollow cement block walls with self-closing fireproof doors—remain intact and functional, since deterioration or unauthorized alterations to these assemblies can constitute a violation. Where recesses off public halls exist, operators typically verify that the enclosing surfaces are fire-retarded, that electric lighting meets the minimum illumination standard described in § 234, and that no recess exceeds twenty feet or serves more than three apartments as a means of egress.
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 § 234, tenants in covered tenements have an interest in stairs and public halls that meet the width, continuity, and fire-separation standards the law describes, as these features directly affect safe egress. If stairs appear blocked, narrowed, fire-separation walls or doors seem compromised, or public hall lighting in a recess is inadequate, tenants may report conditions to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development or the relevant local housing authority, which has enforcement authority over § 234 violations. Tenants may also consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how documented violations under § 234 might be raised in housing court proceedings or used in other available enforcement contexts.
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.
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