A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish minimum standards for basic equipment, lighting, ventilation and electrical services for all residential buildings and parts thereof and to obtain the public and private benefits accruing from the provision of such services. A suitable environment for safe and healthy living is encouraged by adequate water and sanitary facilities, proper storage and disposal of garbage and other refuse, safe means of egress, provision of light, air, heat and electrical service.
B. 
Requirement. No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling unit for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking or eating therein, which does not comply with the following requirements:
(1) 
Kitchen sink and laundry tray. Every dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen sink and laundry tray in good working condition and properly connected to a water and sanitary sewer system approved by the Building Inspector.
(2) 
Bathroom. Every dwelling unit shall contain a room within its walls, separate from the habitable rooms, which affords privacy to a person within said room and which is equipped with a flush water closet, a lavatory basin and a bathtub or shower and the necessary fixtures and accessories thereof in good working condition and properly connected to hot and cold water lines and sanitary sewer system approved by the County Health Officer and Building Inspector. Such room shall be at least 14 square feet with a minimum width of three feet.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(3) 
Egress (dwelling units and lodging rooms). Every dwelling unit and lodging room shall have direct access to at least two accessible unobstructed means of egress leading to safe and open public right-of-way at ground level as required by state and City codes.
(4) 
Passageways, stairways and exits (rental residential buildings). Every residential building other than single-family or two-family detached dwellings, and in every building which accommodates transients, the public passageways and stairways and exit doors shall be illuminated from sunset to sunrise. This illumination shall include lights at all intersections of passageways, at all exits and at the head, foot and landings of every stairway, in every building which accommodates more than four families or 30 persons, and in every building which accommodates transients. The lights at emergency exit doors shall be red lights and shall be accompanied by a sign bearing the work "exit" or "out," in plain letters, five inches in height.
(5) 
Windows.
(a) 
Every habitable room shall have outside windows having a total area enclosed by the sash of at least 1/10 of the floor area of the room, but not less than 12 square feet. The top of at least one such window shall be not less than 50% of the required window area and must open. Windows in each habitable room, bathroom windows and all doors opening to the exterior of the dwelling shall be provided with screen of not less than No. 16 wire mesh which will effectively prevent the entrance of flies and mosquitoes. Provided, however, approved door closers may be used in lieu of screen doors on exterior hallway doors on apartment buildings. Every residential building having basement windows or exterior basement doors shall have screens of not less than No. 16 wire mesh on all doors and windows, when open. Such required outside windows shall open directly toward a street, alley or toward an unobstructed approved yard or court on the same lot with the building.
(b) 
Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms contained herein except interior bathrooms may be permitted when approved as permitted by City and State codes.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(6) 
Electrical fixtures and receptacles. Every room shall contain such electrical receptacles and fixtures as required by the City Code.
(7) 
Heating facilities. Every residential building shall have heating facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in good working condition and are capable of adequately heating all habitable rooms to a temperature of 70° and all bathrooms and water closet compartments to a temperature of 75° when outside temperature is -25° F. All temperature readings to be taken from 42 inches to 48 inches above the floor when there are no drafts or unusual wall conditions. All fuel-burning heaters shall be effectively vented to assure proper draft. No unvented fuel-burning space heaters allowed in sleeping rooms. Clearance around oil- and gas-fired room or space heaters shall be in accordance with the clearance recommended by the National Board of Fire Underwriters and the American Gas Institute.
(8) 
Water-heating facilities.
(a) 
Every residential building shall have supplied water heating facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and good working condition and have a minimum withdrawal temperature capacity of 120° F. Every gas heating unit to be equipped with a pilot light and automatic shutoff.
[1] 
Capacities.
[a] 
Tank storage: 100° F. rise/gallon per hour.
Number of Units
Gallons
Heating Capacity
1
20
20
2
30
30
3
40
35
4
50
40
5
60
45
6
70
50
7
80
55
8
90
65
9
100
70
10
110
80
11
120
95
[b] 
Tankless type: 100° F. rise/gallon per minute.
Unit Served
GPM
1
2.75
2
5.00
3
7.75
4
10.00
5
12.75
6
15.00
7
17.75
8
20.00
9
22.75
10
25.00
11
27.75
(b) 
No water heater in any sleeping room. No gas- or oil-fired water heater in a bathroom, closet, under any stairway or in a confined space with access only to above locations. All fuel-burning heaters to be connected to a vent to the exterior.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish minimum standards for the quantity, location and use of space in residential building units so as to preserve and promote public interest. A suitable environment for safe, healthy, and desirable living can be enhanced by providing adequate space and privacy for occupants of all residential buildings.
B. 
Requirements. No person shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements:
(1) 
First floor area. Every detached single-family dwelling other than mobile homes shall be at least 500 square feet in floor area on the first floor level.
(2) 
Floor area of dwelling units. Every dwelling unit shall contain at least 150 square feet of floor area for the first occupant thereof and at least 100 additional square feet of floor area for every additional occupant thereof, the floor area to be calculated on the basis of total habitable room floor area. In every dwelling unit of two or more rooms, every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least 70 square feet of habitable room floor area, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least 50 square feet of habitable floor area for each occupant thereof.
(3) 
Access to bathrooms. No dwelling unit containing two or more sleeping rooms shall have such room arrangements that access to a bathroom or water closet compartment intended for use by occupants of more than one sleeping room can be had by going through another sleeping room; nor shall room arrangements be such that access to a sleeping room can be had only by going through another room or a bathroom or water closet compartment.
(4) 
Ceiling heights. In all dwelling units, the average ceiling height shall be not less than seven feet six inches and the minimum ceiling height shall be not less than seven feet zero inches in the entire floor area. The minimum ceiling height shall be seven feet six inches for all floor areas above the first floor except under sloping roofs, where the minimum shall be seven feet six inches for not less than 50% of the floor area, and where that portion of the floor area under the sloping roof having a ceiling height of less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing the maximum permissible occupancy thereof.
(5) 
Basement sleeping rooms. No sleeping room shall have its floor level below the alley, court, yard or street grade immediately adjoining and abutting upon said habitable rooms, except that in single-family dwellings, it may be permitted when the following conditions are complied with:
(a) 
The exterior walls shall be damp-proofed.
(b) 
A refrigerant air conditioner or dehumidifier shall be available for use when needed, which is designed to handle the square foot of the floor area on the sleeping or living lower level.
(c) 
Proper drainage away from exterior walls of the structure shall be provided.
(d) 
Sash area of windows shall be at least 10% of the floor area of the room. At least 50% of the required window sash area shall open, or in lieu thereof, mechanical ventilation shall be provided with a minimum capacity of two cubic feet per minute per square foot of floor area.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to recognize the private and public benefits resulting from the safe, sanitary and attractive maintenance of residential and nonresidential buildings, structures, yards and vacant area. Attractive and well-maintained property will enhance the neighborhood and City and provide a suitable environment for increasing physical and monetary values.
B. 
Requirements. Every owner or operator shall improve and maintain all property under his control to comply with the following requirements:
(1) 
Grading. All courts, yards or other areas on the premises shall be properly graded to divert water away from the building.
(2) 
Premises to be kept free of weeds. All exterior property area shall be kept free of weeds.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Chapter 271 of this City Code.
(3) 
Premises to be kept clean and sanitary. All exterior property areas shall be properly maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from debris, rubbish or garbage, physical hazards, rodent harborage and infestation.
(4) 
Fences, walks, etc. Fences, other minor construction, walks, driveways, parking areas and similar paved areas shall be properly maintained in a safe, sanitary and substantial condition.
(5) 
Painting. Exterior surfaces of buildings and structures that are not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be periodically treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative which will provide adequate resistance to weathering and maintain an attractive appearance.
(6) 
Landscaping, etc. Landscaping, plantings and other decorative surface treatments shall be installed if necessary and maintained to present an attractive appearance in all court and yard areas. Plantings shall be maintained so as not to present hazards to adjoining properties or to persons or vehicles traveling on public ways and shall be maintained so as to enhance the appearance and value of the property on which located and thereby the appearance and value of the neighborhood and City.
(7) 
Foundations, interior and floors. Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling and roof shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodent-proof; shall be kept in proper repair and shall be capable of affording privacy. Any sagging or bulging shall be properly repaired to a level or plumb position. Interior walls and ceilings shall provide a suitable base for decorative finish, a waterproof and hard surface in spaces subject to moisture and shall not have noticeable surface irregularities or cracking. Floor surfacing shall provide ease of maintenance and durability appropriate for the use of the room.
(8) 
Windows and doors. Every window, exterior door, and basement hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof, and shall be kept in proper working condition and repair.
(9) 
Stairs, porches and appurtenances. Every inside and outside stair, every porch, and every appurtenance thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon, and shall be kept in proper condition and repair and shall present an attractive appearance.
(10) 
Plumbing and drainage. Every plumbing fixture and water and waste pipe shall be properly installed and maintained in good working condition, free from defect, leaks and obstructions.
(11) 
Bathroom floors. Every water closet compartment floor surface and bathroom floor surface shall be properly constructed and maintained so as to be reasonable impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in clean and sanitary condition.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
(12) 
Equipment and utilities. Every supplied facility, piece of equipment, or utility which is required by the City Code shall be so constructed or installed that it will function properly, and shall be maintained in proper working condition.
(13) 
Shutting off or removing required facilities and utilities prohibited. No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required under this chapter to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling, dwelling unit or lodging room let or occupied while actual repairs are in process, or during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by an authorized inspector.
A. 
Maintenance of public areas. Every owner of a residential building containing two or more dwelling units shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean, proper and sanitary condition the shared or public areas of the residential building and premises thereof.
B. 
Duty to supply garbage and refuse facilities.[1] The owner of every residential building shall be responsible for supplying such building with garbage and refuse storage facilities as follows:
(1) 
Rubbish storage and disposal. If stored outdoors, to be stored in flytight, rodentproof, nonflammable, reasonably waterproof box or container.
(a) 
If stored in basement or cellar or in enclosed structure, to be stored in nonflammable containers.
(b) 
No loose rubbish allowed.
(2) 
Garbage storage and disposal. Disposed of in incinerator within dwelling in sanitary manner; or disposed of in flytight and watertight metal storage container (210 gallon maximum capacity); or disposed of in garbage grinder discharging into sink drain.
(a) 
Outside storage container maintained and located so that no odors permeate any dwelling units.
(b) 
Each container cleaned at least weekly.
(c) 
No loose garbage.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 556 of this Code for garbage and refuse.
C. 
Screen, storm doors and windows. Every owner of a residential building shall be responsible for hanging, installation and maintenance of all screen and double or storm doors and windows whenever the same are required under the provisions of the City Code.
D. 
Extermination. Whenever infestation exists in two or more of the dwelling units or lodging rooms in any residential building or in the shared or public parts of any residential building, extermination thereof shall be the responsibility of the owner.
E. 
Rented occupancy to be fit for human occupancy. The owner or operator shall not occupy or let to another for occupancy any space in a residential building unless it is clean, sanitary, fit for human occupancy, complies with the requirements of the City codes and the occupancy is limited to the maximum permitted by said codes.
F. 
Duty to display agents for emergencies. Every owner shall neatly display in a conspicuous, accessible place in every rented residential building a list of not less than three alternate agents and their phone numbers to be called to arrange for emergency work required when the owner or operator is not available. This list shall be maintained at all times.
A. 
To keep occupied part clean and sanitary. Every occupant of a residential building shall keep in a clean, proper and sanitary condition that part of the residential building and premises thereof which he occupies and controls except the operator of every lodging house shall be responsible for the sanitary maintenance of all walls, floors, ceilings and every other part of the lodging house. Every occupant of a residential building shall dispose all his refuse and garbage in the containers required by the City Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See §§ 402-11B and 556-2Bof this Code.
B. 
Plumbing fixtures. Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall keep all plumbing fixtures therein in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care in the proper use and operation thereof.
C. 
Extermination. Every occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents, or other pests therein or on the premises and every occupant of a dwelling unit in a residential building shall be responsible for such extermination whenever his dwelling unit is the only one infested. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, whenever infestation is caused by failure of the owner to maintain a residential building in a reasonable condition, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner.
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish minimum standards for basic fires afety for all residential buildings and parts thereof and to obtain the public and private benefits accruing from the provisions of this section.
B. 
Requirements. No person shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements:
(1) 
No highly flammable or explosive material shall be stored in a residence, and no dwelling unit allowed in a building utilizing liquids with a flash point below 110° F.
(2) 
No materials shall be allowed to accumulate in locations that may block egress from fires or interfere with firefighting operations.
(3) 
Every electric wire shall have adequate insulation maintained in good condition.
(4) 
All switch and outlet plates shall be properly fastened in position.
(5) 
All existing short circuits or breaks shall be immediately corrected.
(6) 
No temporary wiring, except proper extension cords from appliances.
(7) 
Maximum fuse sizes shall be conspicuously posted on fuse box.