Cal. Civ. Code § 256
Bulkheads and scuttles
Operative Text
§ 256. Bulkheads and scuttles. 1. Every required stair and fire-stair in a dwelling three stories or more in height shall have a bulkhead constructed as provided for fireproof dwellings in section two hundred four. 2. A dwelling which is two stories or less in height shall be provided at each required stair or fire-stair either with such bulkhead or with a scuttle at least two feet by three feet in size, located in the ceiling of the public hall on the top story. Every such scuttle shall be arranged to be readily opened, shall be covered on the outside with metal and shall be provided with stairs or a stationary metal ladder leading thereto and easily accessible to all the occupants of the dwelling. 3. When the roof of a dwelling is pitched or sloped more than fifteen degrees, no bulkhead or scuttle, or stair or ladder leading thereto, shall be required.
New York Multiple Residence Law § 256 establishes roof-access requirements tied to a building's height and roof pitch. Buildings of three or more stories must have a fireproof bulkhead at every required stairway, while buildings of two stories or fewer may instead use a scuttle—a hatch at least two feet by three feet—in the top-floor hallway ceiling, equipped with metal covering and a stair or fixed metal ladder accessible to all occupants. Neither a bulkhead nor a scuttle is required when the roof slopes more than fifteen degrees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 256, compliant operators of three-story-or-taller buildings generally ensure that each required stair and fire-stair terminates in a bulkhead meeting the fireproof-dwelling standard referenced in § 204. For shorter buildings of two stories or fewer, compliant operators typically verify that each required stairway has either a qualifying bulkhead or a properly sized, metal-covered scuttle with a readily operable hatch and an accessible fixed ladder or stair. Buildings with a roof pitch exceeding fifteen degrees are generally documented as exempt from these specific requirements.
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 § 256 gives occupants of covered dwellings a right to accessible roof-egress features—either a bulkhead or, in shorter buildings, a scuttle with a usable ladder or stair that all residents can reach. If a required bulkhead or scuttle appears to be missing, blocked, or in disrepair, tenants may consider raising the issue as a housing-code violation with New York's local housing or building department, or contacting a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options. Keeping notes and photographs of the condition can be useful when pursuing any complaint process under § 256.
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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