Cal. Civ. Code § 31
Inside cellar stairs
Operative Text
§ 31. Inside cellar stairs. Every stair leading from a cellar to the floor above in all old multiple dwellings shall be enclosed with fire-retarded partitions and shall be equipped with a fire-retarded self-closing door located as the department may approve.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 31, any stairway connecting a cellar to the floor above in an old multiple dwelling must be surrounded by fire-retarded partitions and fitted with a fire-retarded self-closing door. The placement of that door is subject to approval by the relevant department. This rule is a structural fire-safety requirement aimed at limiting the spread of fire from cellar areas into upper living spaces.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of old multiple dwellings covered by N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 31 generally ensure that every cellar-to-floor stairway is enclosed with compliant fire-retarded partitions and that a properly functioning fire-retarded self-closing door is installed at a location approved by the local housing or buildings department. Routine inspections of these enclosures and doors—checking that self-closing mechanisms work and that partition materials remain intact—are a standard part of maintaining compliance. Keeping records of inspections, repairs, and any departmental approvals related to door placement can support a showing of ongoing compliance.
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 § 31 establishes a right for occupants of old multiple dwellings to have cellar stairways enclosed with fire-retarded partitions and equipped with an approved self-closing door. If a tenant observes that this enclosure is missing, damaged, or that the self-closing door is absent or non-functional, they may report the condition to the local housing or buildings department as a potential code violation. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how such a violation might be raised in housing court proceedings or other enforcement contexts.
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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