Cal. Civ. Code § 108
Windows and skylights for public halls and stairs
Operative Text
§ 108. Windows and skylights for public halls and stairs. 1. Where a window or windows are required to light a public hall or part thereof, at least one of such windows shall be not less than two feet six inches wide and five feet high. Every required window in such a hall shall open upon a street, yard or court. On the top story of such a dwelling a ventilating skylight of the same dimensions shall be accepted in lieu of a window for that story. 2. There shall be in the roof, directly over each required stair and fire-stair a ventilating skylight provided with louvres or ventilators having a minimum open area of forty square inches. The roof of every such skylight shall be glazed with plain glass and equipped with suitable metal screens above and below. The glazed area of every such skylight shall be at least twenty square feet, except that in such a dwelling or section thereof two stories or less in height the glazed area of such a skylight need be only nine square feet. In lieu of a skylight, a window of the same area as prescribed in subdivision one may be provided. If such a window is used in lieu of a skylight, fixed louvres having a minimum opening of forty square inches shall also be installed in or directly adjacent to such window. 3. When any stair, fire-stair or fire-tower in such a dwelling terminates at the level of a setback of an outer wall and such setback consists of a terrace at least four feet in width, measured between the inside of the parapet wall and the wall of the dwelling and at least ten feet in length, measured parallel to the wall of the dwelling, there may be provided in lieu of such skylight a fireproof door and assembly with the door self-closing giving access from such stair or fire-stair to such terrace. Such door shall have a panel at least five square feet in area glazed with wire glass and shall be equipped with louvres having a minimum open area of forty square inches.
N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 108 establishes minimum standards for natural light and ventilation in the public halls and stairwells of multiple residences. Required hallway windows must meet specific size thresholds and open to an exterior space such as a street, yard, or court, while a qualifying skylight may substitute for a window on the top story. Over each required stair and fire-stair, a ventilating skylight with louvres or ventilators must be installed in the roof, with glazed area and ventilation opening requirements that vary by building height. In certain setback configurations, a fireproof self-closing door with wire-glass panel and louvres may serve in place of the skylight.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple residences subject to N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 108 generally ensure that every required public-hall window meets the minimum width and height dimensions and opens onto an exterior exposure. Compliant buildings maintain ventilating skylights over each required stair and fire-stair with the correct glazed area, louvre or ventilator openings of at least forty square inches, plain-glass roofing, and metal screens both above and below. Where a setback terrace arrangement is used instead of a skylight, property managers typically verify that the substituted fireproof door assembly is self-closing, carries the required wire-glass panel area, and includes louvres meeting the minimum open-area specification under § 108.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in multiple residences covered by N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 108 have an interest in knowing that public hallways and stairwells are entitled to minimum standards of light and ventilation under state law. If a required hallway window is blocked, a stairwell skylight is missing or inadequately ventilated, or substitute assemblies appear non-compliant, these conditions may constitute housing code violations. Tenants can document such conditions and report them to the local housing or building department, raise the issue with a tenant-rights organization familiar with § 108, or explore whether the violation may be relevant to any existing housing proceeding.
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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