Can NYC commercial building owners deny claustrophobic people use of stairs?

Question

Can NYC commercial building owners deny claustrophobic people use of stairs?

Answer 1

You would have to doublecheck but stairwells have to accessible according to every zoning law and fire code that I have ever heard of.  Claustrophobia has nothing to do with it.  You can not be denied access period!

Answer 2

how can they prove someone's claustrophobic?  Do they look up medical records before letting them in the stairwell?

Answer 3

Building and safety laws require open access to stairs most everywhere in the nation.

   Assuming you live in the rarest jurisdiction where stair access can be denied, if your claustrophobia is medically demonstrable, you likely are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and your building owners must provide reasonable accomodation for your condition which in your case would include use of the stairs.