Cal. Civ. Code § 61
Fire alarm system; watchman
Operative Text
§ 61. Fire alarm system; watchman. 1. Except as provided in subdivision three, in every transient dwelling containing thirty or more sleeping rooms for transient occupancy, there shall be an interior fire alarm system. 2. Except as provided in subdivision three, in every fireproof transient dwelling containing fifty or more sleeping rooms for transient occupants, and in every non-fireproof transient dwelling containing thirty or more such rooms, when thirty-five per centum or more of such rooms are occupied, there shall be, in addition to the interior fire alarm system, one or more watchmen or clerks, employed by the owner, whose duty it shall be to visit every portion of the dwelling at frequent regular intervals between the hours of eleven p.m. and seven a.m. for the purpose of detecting fire or other sources of danger and giving immediate and timely warning thereof to all the occupants. There shall be provided a watchman's clock system or other device to record the movement of such watchman. 3. Where throughout such dwelling a fire-detecting system, or an approved type automatic sprinkler system is provided which actuates a fire alarm by the flow of water through such system so as to give warning to all the occupants of the dwelling, and is installed in a manner satisfactory to the department in conformity with rules and regulations adopted by the commission, the provisions of subdivisions one and two shall not be applicable.
New York Multiple Residence Law § 61 establishes fire-safety requirements for transient dwellings based on their size and construction type. Buildings with 30 or more sleeping rooms must have an interior fire alarm system, and larger or more heavily occupied buildings must also employ watchmen or clerks to patrol the premises between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., with their movements recorded by a clock system or similar device. These requirements are waived if the building is equipped throughout with an approved fire-detecting or automatic sprinkler system that triggers an alarm audible to all occupants and is installed to the satisfaction of the relevant department.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of transient dwellings subject to N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 61 generally maintain a functioning interior fire alarm system once the building reaches the 30-sleeping-room threshold. When occupancy levels and building type trigger the watchman requirement under subdivision two, compliant operators employ staff specifically tasked with regular nighttime patrols of the entire building and maintain a clock system or equivalent device to document those rounds. Owners who install a qualifying fire-detecting or automatic sprinkler system throughout the building, approved by the department under subdivision three, satisfy the requirements of both subdivisions one and two through that alternative compliance path.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants residing in transient dwellings covered by N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 61 have an interest in knowing whether their building meets the fire alarm and, where applicable, watchman requirements set out in this provision. If a building appears to lack the required alarm system or nighttime patrol staff, tenants may report concerns to the local housing or building department, which has authority to inspect for compliance. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what protections apply to their building type and what avenues exist for raising a potential violation.
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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