Cal. Civ. Code § 278
Application of other provisions
Operative Text
§ 278. Application of other provisions. 1. The provisions of this
article apply to buildings with residential, mixed or joint living-work
quarters or artists' occupancy as herein provided and to such buildings
only. In addition to the provisions of this article, the following
enumerated articles and sections of this chapter shall, to the extent
required therein, apply to such buildings:
Article 1. Introductory provisions: definitions
2. Miscellaneous application provisions except sub-
division two of section nine
8. Requirements and remedies
9. Registry of names and service of papers
10. Prostitution
11. Laws repealed; saving clause; effect
Section 28. Two or more buildings on same lot
29. Painting of courts and shafts
31. Size of rooms, subdivision six only
37. Artificial hall lighting
53. Fire-escapes
55. Wainscoting, subdivision two only
56. Frame buildings and extensions
57. Bells; mail receptacles
58. Incombustible materials
59. Bakeries and fat boiling
60. Motor vehicle storage
61. Business uses (except paragraph c of subdivision
one and subdivision three)
62. Parapets, guard railings and wires
2. Failure to comply with any provision of this chapter other than
this article and the above enumerated articles and sections shall not be
grounds for refusal of a certificate of occupancy or compliance.
Section 278 of the New York Multiple Dwelling Law establishes which parts of the broader MDL statute apply to buildings covered by this article — those containing residential, mixed, or joint living-work quarters and artists' occupancy spaces. It enumerates specific articles and sections (such as those governing fire escapes, hall lighting, bells, and business uses) that carry over and must be satisfied for these buildings. Crucially, the provision also limits enforcement: non-compliance with MDL provisions outside this article and the listed sections cannot be used as a basis to deny a certificate of occupancy or compliance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential, mixed-use, or artists' occupancy buildings subject to N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 278 generally ensure compliance with the specific articles and sections enumerated in that provision — covering areas such as fire escapes (§ 53), artificial hall lighting (§ 37), bells and mail receptacles (§ 57), and motor vehicle storage (§ 60), among others. Compliant operators do not treat the full MDL as uniformly applicable to these buildings; instead, they focus their compliance efforts on the enumerated provisions. When pursuing a certificate of occupancy or compliance, operators should be aware that only violations of this article and the listed sections are valid grounds for refusal under § 278(2).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in residential, mixed-use, or artists' occupancy buildings benefit from the protections of the specific MDL articles and sections incorporated by N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 278, including requirements related to fire escapes, lighting, and building safety. If a landlord is not meeting those enumerated standards, tenants may have grounds to raise those violations through available channels, such as filing a complaint with the relevant city or state housing agency or raising the violation in a housing court proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with the MDL can help clarify which of the § 278-enumerated provisions apply to a particular building type.
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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