American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

The New York Tenement House Law, enacted in 1879, included which important requirement regarding toilets?

1. One toilet for every unit

2. Two toilets had to be provided on each floor

3. No toilets required

4. One toilet per three units

The correct answer is: Two toilets had to be provided on each floor

The New York Tenement House Law of 1879 significantly impacted the sanitary conditions of tenement housing in New York City by introducing strict regulations concerning the availability and accessibility of toilets. One of the key requirements of this law mandated that two toilets be provided on each floor of a tenement building. This regulation was crucial in addressing the public health crisis that resulted from overcrowded living conditions where sanitation was often overlooked. By ensuring that residents had access to toilets on each floor, the law aimed to reduce disease transmission and improve overall living conditions for tenants. This requirement reflected a progressive shift towards better housing standards during a time when many urban dwellers lived in inadequate and unsanitary environments. The other options do not align with the historical context of the Tenement House Law, which was specifically designed to address the urgent need for improved sanitation rather than allowing fewer toilets or none at all.