NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8766A
SPONSOR: Lee TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the multiple dwelling law, in relation to the standards
for openable windows in residential units
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation provides for the development of residential units that
are newly constructed or converted from non-residential uses that comply
with ventilation standards in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 62.1 or
ASHRAE Standard 62.2.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends the multiple dwelling law to ensure that the require-
ment for openable windows is satisfied if a unit has ventilation stand-
ards for ASHRAE Standard 62.1, ASHRAE Standard 62.2 or any successor
standard, as amended or updated.
Section'one further provides that nothing in this bill shall prevent a
local government or municipality where this chapter applies from enact-
ing or enforcing any law, code, or ordinance that imposes openable
window requirements on residential units to ensure proper egress or to
meet fire safety.
Section two sets forth the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
A recent investigation conducted by Gensler and Pew found that office to
residential conversions would be much easier if the outdated openable
windows requirement from the 1870s were changed. When housing costs are
skyrocketing in New York State, this is a common sense reform to make
underused office buildings easier to convert for residential uses. This
bill implements this much-needed reform. Similar regulations are
already in place in Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2026: A8766 (Lee) - Referred to Housing
2025: S8078 (Hoylman-Sigal) - Passed Senate
2025: A8766 (Lee) - Referred to Housing
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
This bill will have no fiscal impact on the state.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.
