Cal. Civ. Code § 201
Requirements for fireproof construction
Operative Text
§ 201. Requirements for fireproof construction. 1. Every new multiple dwelling exceeding six stories or seventy-five feet in height shall be fireproof. 2. The foregoing requirements shall not be construed as prohibiting: a. Elsewhere than within, or in the openings to, the public halls, stairs and shafts, the use of wood for sleepers, grounds, nailing blocks, underflooring, finish flooring, interior doors with their assemblies and saddles, floor base not more than one foot in height, picture and wall moulding, shelving, closet and kitchen fixtures, cupboards, cabinets and wardrobes. b. The use of wood for window and for interior trim and finish backed solidly against, or filled with, incombustible material and elsewhere than within, or in the openings to, the public halls, stairs and shafts.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 201, any new multiple dwelling that rises above six stories or seventy-five feet must be built using fireproof construction methods. The rule does not, however, ban all wood entirely: certain interior wood elements—such as finish flooring, interior doors, shelving, cabinetry, and window trim backed solidly with noncombustible material—are still permitted, provided they are kept out of public halls, stairways, and shaft openings. The provision draws a clear line between the structural fire-resistance required for tall residential buildings and the decorative or functional wood finishes that remain allowable within individual units.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators developing or overseeing new multiple dwellings taller than six stories or seventy-five feet should ensure that the overall structure meets fireproof construction standards as set out in N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 201. Compliant projects typically use noncombustible structural systems while still incorporating permitted wood elements—such as finish flooring, interior cabinetry, and solidly backed window trim—exclusively within individual units and away from public corridors, stairwells, and shaft openings. Documenting material specifications and keeping them aligned with the provision's enumerated exceptions is a common practice during plan review and inspections.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 201 establishes that tall new multiple dwellings must be built to fireproof standards, which is a baseline protection that residents of qualifying buildings are entitled to expect. If a tenant has concerns that a building's construction does not meet these requirements, avenues generally include raising the issue with the New York City or local building department, which has authority to inspect and enforce construction standards. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand whether a potential violation under § 201 is relevant to their situation and what complaint or reporting processes 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.
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