N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law Section 32
Alcoves

1.

Every alcove, except a lawful cooking space, opening from any room in any multiple dwelling erected after April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, shall be separately lighted and ventilated as provided for other rooms in section thirty. It shall have a floor area of at least seventy square feet, a least horizontal dimension of at least seven feet and an opening at least sixty square feet in area into the room which it adjoins.

2.

Except for cubicles permitted in lodging houses, no part of any room in any multiple dwelling erected after April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, shall be enclosed or subdivided at any time, wholly or in part, by a curtain, portiere, fixed or movable partition or other contrivance or device, unless each such enclosure or subdivision shall contain a separate window as required for a room by section thirty and a floor space of at least seventy square feet.

Source: Section 32 — Alcoves, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/MDW/32 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Feb. 28, 2026).

Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Feb. 28, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 32. Alcoves's source at nysenate​.gov

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