Cal. Civ. Code § 253
Construction of first floor
Operative Text
§ 253. Construction of first floor. The first floor above the lowest cellar, or, if there be no cellar, above the lowest story, shall be fireproof or, if the dwelling be three stories or less in height, fire-retarded.
New York Multiple Residence Law § 253 establishes a minimum fire-resistance standard for a specific floor in a residential building. The first floor situated above the lowest cellar—or above the lowest story when no cellar exists—must be constructed to be either fully fireproof or, in buildings of three stories or fewer, at least fire-retarded. This rule applies to the structural and material composition of that floor as a matter of building construction.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 253, operators of multiple residences are generally expected to ensure that the qualifying first floor meets the applicable fire-resistance standard—fireproof construction for taller buildings, or fire-retarded construction for buildings of three stories or less. Compliance is typically verified during permitting, inspection, and certificate-of-occupancy processes. Property owners and managers commonly document the fire-resistance ratings of floor assemblies and address any deficiencies identified by local building or housing inspectors.
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 § 253 establishes a construction standard that residential buildings must meet, and tenants have an interest in knowing whether their building complies. If a tenant has reason to believe the floor assembly in their building does not meet the required fire-resistance standard, they may consider raising the issue with a local housing or building code enforcement agency. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how a violation of § 253 might be relevant to housing complaints or other enforcement avenues available under New York law.
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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