Is It Illegal to Sleep in a Basement Without an Egress Window in NY? One Long Island Company Has the Answer
Hauppauge, United States - June 20, 2025 / Egress of Long Island /
Long Island, NY — Many Long Island homeowners are unaware that converting a basement into a bedroom or living space may violate New York State building codes—especially if the basement lacks a proper egress window installation. According to Egress of Long Island, a top-rated local contractor, not only is it dangerous to sleep in a basement without a second exit, but it’s also likely illegal under both state and town regulations.
“People finish basements all the time without realizing they’re creating a potential trap,” said Glenn Shramm, co-owner of Egress of Long Island. “In most of Long Island, if someone sleeps in a basement room, the law requires an egress window that meets specific size, accessibility, and safety requirements.”
The company recently published a blog post, “Is It Illegal to Sleep in a Basement Without an Egress Window in NY?” to clarify the risks and requirements. The post outlines local and state building codes, International Residential Code (IRC) standards, and what qualifies as a legal basement bedroom.
Beyond compliance, egress windows also:
Provide a safe escape route during fires or floods
Allow emergency personnel to enter the home
Bring natural light and ventilation to underground spaces
Increase property value and resale potential
Egress of Long Island offers one-day installations, with free code compliance consultations for homeowners in townships including Brookhaven, Islip, Huntington, Babylon, and more.
“Having a bedroom or even a playroom in the basement without an egress window could put your family—and your home sale—at serious risk,” Shramm added. “We make the process easy, affordable, and completely code-compliant.”
🔗 Resources for Homeowners:
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About Egress of Long Island
Founded in 2024, Egress of Long Island provides professional, code-compliant egress window installation and basement walkout services to homeowners throughout Suffolk and Nassau Counties. Known for one-day installs and exceptional customer service, the company is committed to improving home safety and helping Long Islanders meet building regulations with confidence.
Media Contact:
Glenn Shramm
Co-Owner, Egress of Long Island
📞 (631) 353-6060
📧 info@egressoflongisland.com
🌐 https://egressoflongisland.com
Contact Information:
Egress of Long Island
1393 Veterans Memorial Hwy Suite 200S
Hauppauge, NY 11788
United States
Roger Kalinowski
(631) 353-6060
https://egressoflongisland.com/
