Window falls are a serious safety risk in New York City. The city has specific laws designed to prevent them — and those laws were substantially updated in 2026. Here is what the current rules require.
What the law requires
NYC Administrative Code § 27-2043.1 and NYC Health Code Chapter 12 require building owners to install window guards in two situations:
| Trigger | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A child 10 years of age or under resides in the unit | Must be installed on all covered windows in that apartment |
| Any tenant submits a written request | Owner cannot refuse — regardless of whether children are present |
The law also requires window guards in public hallway windows in qualifying multiple dwellings where a child 10 or younger resides.
What changed in 2026
As of January 1, 2026, NYC Health updated the window guard rules. Key changes include:
Balconies and terraces: Windows that open onto balconies or terraces above the first or ground floor in multi-unit buildings now require window fall prevention devices.
Window types: Updated requirements clarify which approved devices are appropriate for different window frame types — double hung, casement, sliding — and include the latest technology for new window designs.
Manufacturer registration: A new registration process applies to manufacturers seeking NYC Health approval for window safety products.
Which windows are excluded
Guards are not required on windows that provide direct access to a fire escape. For buildings where the fire escape starts above the first floor, one ground-floor window must remain unguarded to allow for a secondary emergency exit.
What counts as a window guard
Approved window guards must meet NYC Health Code Chapter 12 specifications and be appropriate for the window type. The landlord is responsible for providing code-compliant installation — not just hardware you mount yourself.
Annual notice
Building owners are required to give tenants a written annual notice asking whether a child 10 or under resides in the unit, and to respond to that information by inspecting and installing guards where required.
If the landlord doesn't install them
File a complaint with HPD through 311. Category: Window Guard. Failure to provide, install, or maintain required window guards is a Class C — immediately hazardous — violation under § 27-2043.1(e), the highest severity HPD issues.
Tenants without children may request window guards in writing at any time, for any reason. The owner cannot refuse a written request.
Three things to do if you have a child 10 or under
First, check every covered window in your apartment. If guards are not installed, submit a written request to your landlord immediately. Email creates a timestamp.
Second, if your landlord does not install them promptly, file with HPD.
Third, identify the fire escape access window — it should be operable from the inside. If it is blocked or inoperable, that is a separate safety issue worth raising with HPD.
Sources: NYC Administrative Code § 27-2043.1; NYC Health Code Chapter 12 — Window Falls Prevention (effective January 1, 2026); NYC DOHMH — Window Guards for Building Owners: nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/window-guards-landlord.page
Buildings with open lead-paint hazards
Ranked by open lead-paint hazards, from reports computed between August 9, 2026 and September 5, 2026.
- 925 Prospect PlaceBrooklyn D
- 1281 Eastern ParkwayBrooklyn F
- 3052 Kingsbridge AvenueBronx F
- 221 East 116 StreetManhattan F
- 2463 Grand AvenueBronx F
- 1908 Newkirk AvenueBrooklyn F
- 219 Miriam StreetBronx F
- 4219 18 AvenueBrooklyn F
- 2775 Morris AvenueBronx F
- 333 Menahan StreetBrooklyn F
