Cal. Civ. Code § 56
Exit and directional signs
Operative Text
§ 56. Exit and directional signs. Every means of egress shall be indicated by a sign reading "EXIT" in red letters at least eight inches high on a white background, or vice versa, illuminated at all times during the day and night by a red light of at least twenty-five watts or equivalent illumination. Such light shall be maintained in a keyless socket. On all stories where doors, openings or passageways giving access to any means of egress are not visible from all portions of such stories, directional signs shall be maintained in conspicuous locations, indicating in red on a white background, or vice versa, the direction of travel to the nearest means of egress. At least one sign shall be visible from the doorway of each room or suite of rooms. Existing signs and illumination may be accepted if, in the opinion of the department, such existing signs and illumination serve the intent and purpose of this section. Supplementary stairs, fire-stairs or fire-escapes which do not lead to the entrance story or to a street or to a yard or court, leading to a street, shall be clearly marked "NOT AN EXIT" in black letters at least four inches high on a yellow background, and at the termination of each such stair, fire-stair or fire-escape, there shall be a directional sign indicating the nearest means of egress leading to a street. All signs shall be constructed, located and illuminated in a manner satisfactory to the department.
New York Multiple Residence Law § 56 establishes detailed requirements for exit and directional signage in multiple dwellings. Every exit must be marked with a continuously illuminated red-on-white (or white-on-red) "EXIT" sign using letters at least eight inches tall, powered by at least a 25-watt red light in a keyless socket. Stairways or fire escapes that do not lead to a street or entrance level must be clearly labeled "NOT AN EXIT," and directional signs must guide occupants toward the nearest true means of egress from any point on each floor.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 56 generally maintain exit signs that meet the specified size, color contrast, and continuous illumination standards throughout all hours. Compliant operators routinely inspect bulbs and sockets to ensure the required 25-watt (or equivalent) red illumination remains uninterrupted, and they post directional signs wherever egress routes are not visible from all parts of a floor. Stairs, fire-stairs, or fire escapes that terminate without reaching a street or entrance story are clearly marked "NOT AN EXIT" with the required black-on-yellow lettering, and a directional sign pointing to the nearest true egress is posted at each such termination point.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 56, residents of multiple dwellings have an interest in properly marked, continuously illuminated exit routes and accurate "NOT AN EXIT" labels on non-egress stairways. If exit or directional signs appear missing, unlit, or incorrectly labeled, tenants may report the condition to the local housing or building department, which has authority to inspect and enforce compliance with this section. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how a landlord's failure to maintain compliant signage may relate to broader habitability or safety obligations under New York law.
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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