N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law § 173: Windows in rooms

§ 173. Windows in rooms. 1. Except as provided in subdivision four of

section one hundred seventy-seven every living room shall have one or

more windows opening directly upon a street or upon a yard or court with

dimensions conforming to those specified in section one hundred

seventy-two, or upon an inner court or shaft three feet nine inches or

more in width and eight feet or more in length.

2. Such windows shall be so located as to light properly all portions

of the room and in each room shall have an aggregate glazed area of at

least one-tenth of the floor area of the room, unless in the opinion of

the department such room is already adequately lighted and ventilated.

The top of at least one window in each living room shall be seven feet

or more above the floor except when such room is in the basement or on

the top story, in which case the top of at least one window shall be six

feet or more above the floor. Every such window shall be twelve square

feet or more in area, and shall be so constructed that one-half or more

of its area may be opened. However, such window need not be twelve

square feet in area provided that each room shall have an aggregate

glazed window area of at least one-eighth of the superficial floor area

of the room.

3. Whenever a basement conforming to the provisions of subdivision

four of section one hundred seventy-seven is permitted to be occupied

for living purposes, every living room, bathroom, water-closet

compartment, kitchen and cooking space therein shall have one or more

windows opening directly upon a street; or upon a yard which is at every

point at least fifteen feet in depth and, above the window sill level of

the first story above the basement, at least twenty feet; or upon a

court at least two feet in width and extending the entire depth of the

lot from the street to the yard. All such yards and courts shall be

measured at the ground level from the lot line to the building line

opposite on the same lot. The windows in each such room shall have an

aggregate glazed area of at least one-eighth of the total floor area of

the room, and in no event less than twelve square feet. The top edge of

the glazed area of every window shall be nine inches or more below the

finished ceiling and one foot or more above the level of the adjoining

ground. Every such window shall be so constructed that one-half or more

of its area may be opened, and shall be so located as to light and

ventilate adequately all portions of the room.

4. Any room on a top story may be lighted and ventilated by a skylight

of the dimensions specified for windows and arranged to provide

ventilating openings of six square feet or more. Such a skylight shall

be accepted in lieu of a window. Nothing in this subdivision shall be

construed to prohibit the installation of a skylight without ventilating

openings of six square feet or more, provided, however, that such

skylight shall be equipped with at least one hundred forty-four square

inches of ventilation and provided that the glazed area of such skylight

together with the glazed area of any existing window shall be not less

than one-eighth the superficial floor area of such room.

5. When required by the department transoms, or louvres, or partition

sash to private halls or to adjoining rooms in the same apartment shall

be provided to secure thorough ventilation, but no such transom or

louvres or partition sash shall be required in rooms having two windows

opening to the outer air if each window contains at least twelve square

feet of area nor in rooms having a mullioned window with an aggregate

area of at least twenty-four square feet.