New Rochelle, NY Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)

Chapter 279, adopted January 17, 1995 by Local Law No. 4-1995, applies citywide and requires an approved sprinkler system, one designed to National Fire Protection Association standards and reviewed by both the Building Official and the Fire Commissioner before installation, in every new building falling into the classifications listed in Section 279-3. Those classifications sweep broadly: Group B1 permanent-occupancy buildings covers any one- or two-family dwelling with more than four occupants in a unit and any building with three or more dwelling units, apartment houses, apartment hotels, and garden apartments; Group B2 transient occupancy covers hotels, motels and lodging or fraternity houses sleeping more than five people; and separate business, mercantile, industrial, storage, assembly and institutional classifications extend the requirement to most nonresidential construction as well.

Section 279-4 pulls existing buildings into the requirement once they are reconstructed, remodeled or enlarged so the floor area grows by 30% or more, or when a change of occupancy raises the hazard level of the space. Sections 279-8 and 279-9 make the sprinkler system a condition of both the building permit and the certificate of occupancy: the City cannot issue either one until the approved system is included in the plans and, later, installed, inspected, tested and approved. Section 279-10 allows an exception where a sprinkler discharge would itself be hazardous, substituting other approved fire-extinguishing equipment.

Section 279-12 lets the Board of Standards and Appeals grant a variance where the strict letter of the chapter would create unnecessary hardship and omitting the sprinkler system would not significantly jeopardize human life.