Cal. Civ. Code § 3
Application to certain municipalities
Operative Text
§ 3. Application to certain municipalities. 1. This chapter shall apply to all cities of less than three hundred twenty-five thousand population and to all towns and villages. 2. Whenever the word "municipality" occurs in this chapter, it shall mean a city, town or village to which the chapter is applicable. The words "charter," "ordinance," "resolution," "regulation," "building code," "department of health," "department of water supply," "fire department," "department," "board," "municipal engineer," "building official," "corporation counsel," "municipal treasury," or "fire limits," shall be construed as if followed by the words "or corresponding authority of any municipality in which the dwelling or location referred to is situated." 3. Wherever in this chapter the installation or maintenance of a fire alarm system, fire detecting system, watchman's clock system, sprinkler system, fire-escape system or part thereof is required or permitted, such system or part thereof shall be constructed, installed, arranged and maintained in a manner satisfactory to the department in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the commission pursuant to section three hundred twenty-six of this chapter.
New York's Multiple Residence Law, under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 3, applies to cities with fewer than 325,000 residents and to all towns and villages statewide. When the law uses terms like "municipality," "ordinance," or "building official," those terms are understood to refer to whatever equivalent authority exists in the locality where a dwelling is located. Additionally, any fire safety systems—such as sprinkler, fire alarm, or fire escape systems—that the law requires or permits must be constructed and maintained in a way that satisfies the relevant department and follows rules set by the commission under section 326 of the same chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in cities under 325,000 in population, or in any town or village, are subject to the requirements of N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 3. Compliant operators generally identify which local authority serves as the "building official" or equivalent in their municipality and ensure that any required fire safety systems—including alarm, sprinkler, or fire-escape systems—are installed and maintained in accordance with commission rules adopted under section 326. Keeping documentation of inspections and approvals from the applicable local department is a practice commonly associated with ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in cities with fewer than 325,000 residents, or in any town or village, are covered by the protections established under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 3. This provision ensures that fire safety systems such as alarms, sprinklers, and fire escapes in a residence must meet standards set by the relevant local authority and the commission under section 326. Tenants who believe required fire safety systems are absent or improperly maintained may consider contacting their local building or housing department, raising the issue as a defense in a housing proceeding, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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