Cal. Civ. Code § 42
Water closet and bath accommodations
Operative Text
§ 42. Water closet and bath accommodations. Every water closet or bathroom installed in such dwellings on or after July first, nineteen hundred fifty-two, and in dwellings converted on or after such date, shall be in conformity with the provisions of section one hundred seventy-one.
N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 42 establishes that any water closet or bathroom added to a multiple residence—whether through new installation or building conversion—on or after July 1, 1952, must meet the standards set out in section 171 of the same law. The rule applies both to newly constructed dwellings and to buildings that were converted to residential use on or after that date. It sets a baseline of compliance tied to a specific statutory standard rather than leaving bathroom and water closet requirements to individual discretion.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 42, property owners and managers overseeing multiple residences generally ensure that any water closet or bathroom installed or added through conversion after July 1, 1952, is brought into conformity with the requirements of section 171. Compliant operators typically document the installation or conversion date and verify that the fixtures and accommodations meet the referenced standards before a unit is occupied. Routine inspections and maintenance records can help demonstrate ongoing adherence to the requirements tied to this provision.
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 § 42 provides that bathrooms and water closets installed or converted after July 1, 1952, must meet the standards referenced in section 171, which can be relevant if a tenant believes their building's facilities do not conform to those requirements. Tenants who suspect a violation may consider raising the issue as a defense in a housing proceeding, filing a complaint with a local housing or building code enforcement agency, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general information. Reviewing the standards in section 171 alongside § 42 can help clarify what conditions are covered under this provision.
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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