Cal. Civ. Code § 206
Cellar and basement stairs
Operative Text
§ 206. Cellar and basement stairs. All inside cellar or basement stairs shall be entirely enclosed with fireproof walls and be provided with fireproof doors and assemblies, with the doors self-closing, at all openings.
New York Multiple Residence Law § 206 requires that any interior stairway leading to a cellar or basement be fully enclosed by fireproof walls and fitted with fireproof door assemblies at every opening, with each door designed to close on its own. The rule is aimed at limiting the spread of fire between lower-level spaces and the rest of a building. It applies to the physical construction and hardware of these stairways, not merely to their general upkeep.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 206, compliant property operators ensure that all inside cellar and basement stairways are enclosed with fireproof wall construction and equipped with self-closing, fireproof door assemblies at each opening. Routine inspections of self-closing mechanisms and door hardware are a standard part of maintaining compliance with this provision. Operators typically document the condition of these assemblies and address any deterioration or mechanical failure promptly to keep the enclosures functioning as the statute requires.
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 § 206 establishes a right to live in a building where interior cellar and basement stairways are enclosed with fireproof materials and fitted with self-closing fireproof doors. If a tenant observes missing, propped-open, or non-self-closing doors on these stairways, or walls that appear to lack proper fireproof enclosure, that condition may represent a violation of this provision. Tenants can report such conditions to the local housing or building code enforcement agency, raise the issue with a tenant-rights organization, or explore whether the violation is 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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