N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 27-2015: § 27-2015 Courts and shafts.

a. The owner of a multiple dwelling shall whitewash the walls enclosing all courts and shafts not made of light-colored brick or stone or shall paint such walls a light color, and shall maintain them in a clean condition.

b. As often as it deems necessary, the department may require the owner of a multiple dwelling:

(1) To rewhitewash or repaint the walls enclosing courts and shafts not made of a light-colored brick or stone; and

(2) To clean the walls enclosing courts and shafts made of a light-colored brick or stone.

c. This section does not apply to:

(1) Outer courts which open on a street; or

(2) Courts which exceed the minimum dimensions set forth in section twenty-six of the multiple dwelling law by at least fifty percent.