Cal. Civ. Code § 54
Kitchens and pantries
Operative Text
§ 54. Kitchens and pantries. All kitchens and pantries serving restaurants or dining rooms in a non-fireproof transient dwelling shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system or a fire-detecting system. Where such kitchens and pantries are located at least thirty feet distant from such dwelling, no sprinkler or fire-detecting system shall be required.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 54, kitchens and pantries that serve restaurants or dining rooms within a non-fireproof transient dwelling must be fitted with either an automatic sprinkler system or a fire-detecting system. This fire-safety requirement is tied to proximity: if those kitchen or pantry spaces are situated at least thirty feet away from the dwelling itself, neither type of system is mandated. The rule applies specifically to transient dwellings that are not of fireproof construction, distinguishing them from fireproof buildings where this provision would not come into play.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of non-fireproof transient dwellings — such as certain hotels, rooming houses, or similar lodging facilities — should be aware that N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 54 governs fire-safety equipment requirements for any kitchen or pantry connected to an on-site restaurant or dining room. A compliant operator generally ensures that such spaces are equipped with either an automatic sprinkler system or an approved fire-detecting system, unless those spaces are verified to be at least thirty feet from the dwelling structure. Maintaining documentation of the physical layout and the installed fire-safety systems is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating compliance during inspections.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Guests or residents of non-fireproof transient dwellings have an interest in knowing that N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 54 establishes fire-safety equipment standards for kitchens and pantries serving on-site dining facilities. If a kitchen or pantry appears to lack both an automatic sprinkler system and a fire-detecting system and is located within thirty feet of the dwelling, that may represent a condition worth noting. Tenants or guests who have concerns about compliance can consider raising the issue with local housing or building code enforcement authorities, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general information about available complaint processes.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.