Updated August 29, 2026
New York State Building Codes Have Changed Since This Article Was Originally Published
This article was originally published by Secor Lumber in 2016 following changes to New York State building codes that took effect on October 1 of that year. At the time, one area of particular interest involved emergency escape and rescue openings in basements and sleeping rooms.
Those 2016 codes are no longer the current New York State building codes. New York has gone through subsequent code updates, and the 2025 Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and 2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code became fully effective December 31, 2025.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR HOMEOWNERS: Secor Lumber is a building materials supplier, not a building-code authority. We cannot interpret New York State building codes, determine which provisions apply to a particular property or project, verify code compliance, or provide homeowner support regarding code requirements. Please direct project-specific questions to the code enforcement office for the city, town or village where your property is located.
What Building Code Is Currently in Effect in New York State?
As of 2026, New York State has adopted the 2025 Uniform Code of New York State and the 2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State. According to the New York State Department of State, these codes became fully effective on December 31, 2025.
The current New York codes are based on the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) model codes with New York State-specific provisions incorporated into the New York code books. Unlike the previous 2020 code cycle, there is not a separate New York State supplement that must be used alongside the code books.
For current information, code documents and official updates, use the following New York State Department of State resources:
- 2025 Uniform Code and Energy Code Notice of Adoption – NYS Department of State
- NYS Division of Building Standards and Codes
- NYS Building Standards and Codes Frequently Asked Questions
- New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
What Codes Make Up the 2025 New York State Uniform Code?
The New York State Department of State identifies the current Uniform Code as incorporating several code publications. Depending on the building and type of work involved, applicable requirements may be found within the:
- 2025 Residential Code of New York State
- 2025 Building Code of New York State
- 2025 Plumbing Code of New York State
- 2025 Mechanical Code of New York State
- 2025 Fuel Gas Code of New York State
- 2025 Fire Code of New York State
- 2025 Property Maintenance Code of New York State
- 2025 Existing Building Code of New York State
The State also adopted the 2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State and related energy standards. The appropriate code and provisions can depend on the type of building, whether construction is new or existing, and the nature and scope of the proposed work.
Do not rely on the original 2016 version of this article to determine current building-code requirements. Consult the current code and your local code enforcement official.
Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings in the Current NYS Residential Code
The subject that generated the most interest when Secor originally published this article was the requirement for emergency escape and rescue openings, particularly in basements and sleeping rooms.
This continues to be addressed in the current New York State codes. The 2025 Residential Code of New York State contains requirements for emergency escape and rescue openings, including provisions addressing basements, sleeping rooms and existing buildings.
For example, the current Residential Code includes provisions addressing emergency escape and rescue openings when an existing basement is reconfigured to create habitable space or new sleeping rooms. Requirements may differ depending upon the building, existing conditions, proposed work and other applicable code provisions.
Rather than reproducing individual measurements, exceptions or requirements here, Secor recommends consulting the current official code. This avoids relying on information from a previous code cycle or applying a provision outside the context in which it was written.
The Original 2016 Information Is Now Historical
When this article was first published, New York was transitioning to building codes based on the 2015 International Codes together with New York State amendments. The original article discussed what was then Section R310 of the Residential Code and provisions concerning basement emergency escape and rescue openings.
That discussion served an important purpose in 2016, but it should now be regarded as historical information rather than guidance for a current construction or remodeling project.
Code section numbers, wording, exceptions and applicability can change from one code cycle to another. A requirement that applied to one type of project under a previous code should not automatically be assumed to apply in the same way today.
Who Enforces New York State Building Codes?
In most of New York State, local governments are responsible for administering and enforcing the New York State Uniform Code and Energy Code within their jurisdictions. New York City operates under its own construction codes.
New York State also permits local governments, under certain circumstances, to adopt construction standards that are more restrictive than the minimum requirements of the State Uniform Code. This is another reason homeowners and property owners should speak with their local code enforcement office rather than relying solely on a general article found online.
Official information about New York’s Uniform Code and local authority is available from the New York State Department of State:
- Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code – NYS Department of State
- The Uniform Code and Local Authority – NYS Department of State
Who Should I Contact About Building Code Requirements for My Project?
If you have a question about whether a New York State building-code requirement applies to your home, basement, addition, renovation or other construction project, contact the code enforcement office responsible for the municipality in which the property is located.
Your local city, town or village code enforcement official is the appropriate resource for questions involving:
- Which building code applies to a particular project
- Building permits and permit requirements
- Basement renovations and basement bedrooms
- Emergency escape and rescue openings
- Window size, location or installation requirements
- Additions, alterations and renovations
- Inspections and certificates of occupancy or compliance
- Interpretation of specific code sections or exceptions
- Whether a particular product or proposed installation satisfies applicable code requirements
Secor Lumber cannot make these determinations on behalf of a homeowner, property owner, contractor or local authority having jurisdiction.
Why Secor Lumber Maintains This Building Code Resource
Building codes have a direct effect on residential and commercial construction, the building materials used in a project and the work performed by the builders and contractors Secor Lumber serves throughout Upstate New York. Maintaining awareness of major changes in the construction environment is part of being a knowledgeable building-material supplier.
However, there is an important distinction between supplying building materials and supporting construction professionals and interpreting or enforcing building codes. Code interpretation and enforcement belongs with the governmental authorities responsible for administering the code.
For that reason, Secor maintains this article as an informational resource only and provides links directly to New York State’s official Building Standards and Codes information.
Frequently Asked Questions About New York State Building Codes
What building code is currently in effect in New York State?
The 2025 Uniform Code of New York State and 2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State became fully effective on December 31, 2025. Current code information should be verified through the New York State Department of State Division of Building Standards and Codes.
Is the 2016 New York State building code still in effect?
No. The code provisions discussed when this article was originally published in 2016 have been superseded by later code cycles. The current New York State codes should be used for current projects.
Does New York still require emergency escape and rescue openings?
The 2025 New York State codes continue to contain provisions concerning emergency escape and rescue openings. Whether a particular provision applies to your basement, sleeping room, addition or renovation depends upon the applicable code and circumstances of the project. Contact your local code enforcement official for a determination specific to your property.
Can Secor Lumber tell me whether my basement window meets code?
NO. Secor Lumber cannot determine whether a particular window, opening or installation complies with New York State or local building-code requirements. Contact your local code enforcement office.
Can Secor Lumber tell me what size egress window I need?
NO. Requirements for emergency escape and rescue openings should be determined from the current applicable code in consultation with your local code enforcement official. Secor Lumber cannot provide project-specific code interpretations.
Who should a homeowner call with a New York building-code question?
Contact the code enforcement office for the city, town or village in which your property is located. That office is generally responsible for administering and enforcing applicable building codes and addressing project-specific permit and compliance questions.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE A HOMEOWNER and have questions about the information in this article, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE for information as it applies to you, your property and your project.
Secor Lumber cannot interpret building codes, determine what code requirements apply to your property, verify code compliance, recommend a product as being code-compliant for a particular application, or provide end-user homeowner support regarding New York State building-code requirements.
Please do not contact Secor Lumber for building-code interpretation or compliance questions. Your local code enforcement official is the appropriate resource for project-specific assistance.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal, engineering, architectural or building-code advice. Building codes and regulations are subject to amendment and interpretation by the appropriate authorities. Always consult current official sources and the authority having jurisdiction before making decisions concerning a construction project.
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