The following general provisions shall apply in the interpretation
and enforcement of this chapter.
It is hereby found that there exists and may in the future exist
within the Borough of Colwyn premises, dwellings, dwelling units,
rooming units, or parts thereof, which by reason of their structure,
equipment, sanitation, maintenance, use or occupancy affect or are
likely to affect adversely the public health (including the physical,
mental and social well-being of persons and families), safety and
general welfare. To correct and prevent the existence of such adverse
conditions and to achieve and maintain such levels of residential
environmental quality as will protect and promote public health, safety
and general welfare, it is further found that the establishment and
enforcement of minimum housing standards are required.
It is hereby declared that the purpose of this chapter is to
protect, preserve and promote the physical and mental health and social
well-being of the people, to prevent and control incidence of communicable
diseases, to regulate privately and publicly owned dwellings for the
purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and public health and to
protect the safety of the people and to promote the general welfare
by legislation which shall be applicable to all dwellings now in existence
or hereafter constructed. It is hereby further declared that the purpose
of this chapter is to ensure that the quality of housing is adequate
for protection of public health, safety and general welfare, including
establishment of minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities
for light, ventilation and thermal conditions; for safety from fire
and accidents, for the use an location and amount of space for human
occupancy and for an adequate level of maintenance; determination
of the responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants of dwellings;
and provision for the administration and enforcement thereof.
