Village of Manorhaven, NY Standards and Requirements

Grounds, buildings and structures shall be maintained free of insect, vermin and rodent harborage and infestation. Methods used for exterminating insects, vermin and rodents shall conform to generally accepted practice.

Where the potential for rodent or vermin infestation exists, windows and other openings in basements and cellars shall be appropriately screened with wire mesh or other suitable materials.

From June 1 to October 1, entrances to residential buildings shall be provided with self-closing-type devices or screens, and windows and other openings used for ventilation shall be appropriately screened. Screens shall not be required in rooms located sufficiently high in the upper stories of multiple dwellings so as to be free of mosquitoes, flies and other flying insects.

Subsections A to D of this section shall also apply to accessory structures.

§ 82-10 Interior structure.

Free from dampness. Cellars, basements and crawl spaces in every structure used for human habitation shall be reasonably free from dampness to prevent conditions conducive to decay or deterioration of the structures.

Structural members. Supporting structural members of every structure used for human habitation shall be structurally sound.

Chimneys, flues and vents. Chimneys and all flue and vent attachments thereto of every structure used for human habitation and all other flues and vents shall be structurally sound, free from defects, performing the function for which they were designed and are used.

Stairs and railings. Interior stairs of every structure used for human habitation shall be structurally sound and free from defects. Railings shall be provided for stairs, balconies, landings and stairwells.

Floors, walls and ceilings. Floors, walls and ceilings of every structure shall be structurally sound and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

Bathroom floors. Bathroom, shower room and toilet room or compartment floors of every structure used for human habitation shall be water resistant.

Free from rubbish and garbage.[1] The interior of every structure used for human habitation shall be maintained free from rubbish and garbage that might become a health, accident or fire hazard.

[1]

Editor's Note: For regulations pertaining to disposal of rubbish and garbage, see Ch. 118, Refuse and Recyclables.

Insect and rodent harborage. The interior of every structure shall be free from insect, rodent and vermin infestation.

Subsections A to H of this section shall also apply to accessory structures.

§ 82-11 Basic facilities.

Potable water supply. Every dwelling and dwelling unit shall be supplied with a potable water supply. There shall be adequate water supply and pressure at all installed hot- and cold-water outlets.

Plumbing fixtures required. Every dwelling and dwelling unit shall have the following plumbing fixtures: kitchen sink, toilet, bathtub or shower and lavatory. Kitchen sinks, bathtubs, showers and lavatories shall be properly connected to both hot- and cold-water lines, except that there need not be hot-water connections in dwellings and dwelling units not intended for occupancy between September 15 and May 15.

§ 82-12 Installation and maintenance.

Maintenance of plumbing fixtures. Every waterline, plumbing fixture and drain located in a structure used for human habitation shall be properly installed, connected and maintained and capable of performing the function for which it was designed.

Maintenance of plumbing systems. Every stack, waste and sewer line located in a structure used for human habitation and every connecting sewer line shall be so installed and maintained as to function properly and not be a source of structural deterioration or a health hazard.

Installation of heating equipment.

Every heating, cooking and water-heating device located in a structure used for human habitation shall be properly installed, connected and capable of performing the function for which it was designed.

All heating, cooking and water-heating equipment burning solid fuels shall be rigidly connected to a chimney or flue, and such heating equipment burning liquid or gaseous fuels shall be rigidly connected to a supply line and, where required, to a chimney, flue or vent.

Heating.

General. Heating facilities and their accompanying chimneys, flues or stacks are to be installed in compliance with the ordinances of the Village of Manorhaven and be maintained in good order and repair so that they are capable of safely and adequately providing heat to enclosed spaces which are or may be normally occupied. Doors, windows and other parts of a building shall be constructed and maintained so as to prevent abnormal heat losses. Heating facilities utilizing gas as a fuel shall have a shutoff valve provided at or near the source of supply to the facility.

Room heaters. No room heater that is independent of the heating system in the dwelling shall be used except where the unit or appliance is first approved by the office of the Fire Marshal of the County of Nassau.

Water heaters. Every dwelling shall be supplied with an approved water heater or heaters capable of supplying a sufficient quantity of water heated to a temperature of at least 120º F. to every kitchen or bathroom sink, lavatory, bathtub or shower located therein. Such water heater or heaters shall be properly connected to a supply of potable water.

Storage of fuels.[1] All fuels stored on the premises for the operation of heat-producing equipment shall be stored in a safe manner.

[1]

Editor's Note: See also Ch. 77, Gasoline and Fuel Oil Storage.

Maintenance of electrical wiring and devices.

Electrical wiring and devices located in a structure used for human habitation shall be so designed, installed and maintained as not to be a potential source of ignition of combustible material or an electrical hazard.

The rating or setting of overcurrent devices shall not be in excess of the carrying capacity of the circuit conductor.

§ 82-13 Habitable space.

Required space in dwelling units.

Every dwelling unit shall contain a minimum gross floor area of at least 150 square feet for the first occupant, at least 100 square feet for each of the next two occupants and at least 75 square feet of gross floor area for each occupant thereafter.

Every habitable room shall have a minimum ceiling height of seven feet over 50% of the floor area; and the floor area where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing minimum gross floor area.

Required space in sleeping rooms.

In every dwelling unit of two or more habitable rooms, every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall have a minimum gross floor area of at least 70 square feet. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall have a minimum gross floor area of 50 square feet per occupant thereof. In the case of children under six years of age, the requirement shall be 35 square feet per child for two or more children.

Every room used for sleeping purposes shall have a minimum width of seven feet.

Kitchens shall not be used for sleeping purposes.

Cellars shall not be used for sleeping purposes.

[Added 11-28-1984 by L.L. No. 10-1984]

§ 82-14 Light; electrical; ventilation.

Lighting.

Natural light in habitable rooms. Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum aggregate area available for unobstructed light shall be not less than 10% of the floor area of such rooms. All window sashes shall be glazed and provided with suitable hardware.

Light in nonhabitable space. Every stair, hall, cellar, basement and bathroom located in a structure used for human habitation shall have either adequate natural or artificial light available at all times.

Light in nonhabitable work space. Every laundry, furnace room and all similar nonhabitable work space located in a structure used for human habitation shall have either adequate natural or artificial lighting available at all times.

Light in public halls and stairways. Every public hall and common stairway located in a structure used for human habitation and which is used primarily for ingress and egress in connection with two or more dwelling units or rooming units shall be supplied with a proper amount of natural light or lighting facilities controllable by the occupants of the structure and available at all times.

Electrical requirements.

General requirements. Existing electrical fixtures, devices, wiring and systems shall be maintained in safe working condition and in a manner which will avoid a potential source of ignition or shock and shall be properly connected to a reasonable, adequate source of electrical power. Any old deteriorated, unused and/or unapproved materials and equipment shall be removed and replaced, as may be required, with approved materials and equipment. Existing electrical installations or systems shall further be installed in accordance with standards in force at the time of installation and approved by the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Any alterations, major repairs or additional installations shall comply with the requirements of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Fixed wiring, equipment, fixtures and devices shall be firmly secured to the surface on which they are mounted. Electrical wiring and equipment shall be protected against excessive current demands by properly rated over current devices installed in approved locations. All panelboards shall be kept free from encumbrances and shall be accessible at all times.

Exceptions. The Manager of the Building Department of the Village of Manorhaven may request other repairs, alterations, removal of and/or additional wiring, equipment, safety controls or methods when he deems it necessary to assure safety to the occupants or users. He may further modify the requirements of this subsection for a particular location when in his opinion reasonable and adequate safety is assured by a different but equally safe installation.

Ventilation.

Ventilation in habitable rooms. Every habitable room shall be ventilated either by openable areas equal to 45% of the required window area or by equivalent mechanical ventilation.

Ventilation in bathrooms.

(a)

Every bathroom, shower room, toilet room or compartment located in a structure used for human habitation shall be adequately ventilated.

(b)

Rules and regulations. Bathrooms, shower rooms, toilet rooms or compartments shall have ventilation either by openable areas, the total of which shall not be less than 1 1/2 square feet facing open space, or by other methods which shall give equivalent ventilation.

§ 82-15 Responsibilities of owners and occupants.

Open areas.

Surface and subsurface water shall be appropriately drained to protect buildings and structures and to prevent the development of stagnant ponds. Gutters, culverts, catch basins, drain inlets, stormwater sewers, approved combined storm and sanitary sewers or other satisfactory drainage systems shall be utilized where necessary. No roof, surface or sanitary drainage shall create a structural, safety or health hazard by reason of construction, maintenance or manner of discharge.

Fences and other minor construction shall be maintained in a safe and substantial condition.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: See also Ch. 65, Fences.

Steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas shall be maintained so as to afford safe passage under normal use and weather conditions. Any holes or other hazards that may exist shall be filled or necessary repairs or replacement carried out.[2]

[2]

Editor's Note: For regulations pertaining to repair and replacement of sidewalks, see Ch. 132, Streets and Sidewalks.

Yards, courts and vacant lots shall be kept clean and free of physical hazards, rodent harborage and infestation. They shall be maintained in a manner that will prevent dust or other particles from being blown about the neighborhood. Open wells, cesspools or cisterns shall be securely closed or barricaded from access to the public.

(5)

Heavy undergrowth and accumulations of plant growth which are noxious or detrimental to health shall be eliminated. Any trees or portions thereof located on private property and constituting a hazard to persons or property shall be removed.

(6)

A junked vehicle may not be parked, stored or left in the open.

(7)

In areas zoned for business use, all material, equipment or vehicles stored in the open shall be screened from public view by a screening fence of not less than six feet in height. Merchandise displayed for retail sale shall be specifically exempt from these provisions.

Maintenance of plumbing equipment. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall be responsible for the exercise of proper care and cleanliness in the use and operation of all plumbing fixtures, sanitary facilities, appliances and equipment therein.

Waste disposal.[3] Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall dispose of rubbish, garbage and other matter in a proper container, as provided in § 82-10G. In a dwelling containing three or more dwelling units, adequate rubbish and garbage containers shall be supplied by the owner. In multiple dwellings, it shall be prohibited to store or accumulate garbage or refuse in public halls and stairways.

[3]

Editor's Note: See also Ch. 118, Refuse and Recyclables.

Infestation and screening.

Where the potential for rodent or vermin infestation exists, windows and other openings in basements and cellars shall be appropriately screened with wire mesh or other suitable materials.

Maintenance of public space. Every owner of a building containing three or more dwelling units shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition the shared or public areas of the dwelling and premises thereof.

Supplied facilities. Every owner of a dwelling, dwelling unit and rooming unit shall be responsible for keeping supplied facilities in proper operating condition.

Supplied heat.

Every owner or operator of a building who permits to be occupied any dwelling unit or rooming unit therein under an agreement, express or implied, to supply or furnish heat to the occupants thereof, shall supply heat adequate to maintain therein from September 15 to May 15 of the following year a minimum inside temperature of 70º F. based on outside design temperature in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms and toilet rooms or compartments between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and not less than 60º F. between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. in all such rooms.

The provisions of this subsection shall not apply where the failure to maintain minimum requirements is caused by a general shortage of fuel, negligent or malicious act of the occupant, necessary repairs or alteration or any cause beyond the control of the owner or occupant.

Discontinuance of utilities. No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required to be supplied by the provisions of this chapter to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling unit, except for necessary repairs, alterations or emergencies.

Occupancy of vacant units. No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or permit to be occupied by another any vacant dwelling or dwelling unit unless or until it is in good repair, clean, sanitary, in habitable condition and in full compliance with all the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

Buildings and structures.

All exterior exposed surfaces not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be required to be coated, treated or sealed to protect them from deterioration or weathering.

Floors, walls, ceilings, stairs, furnishings and fixtures of buildings shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. Every floor, exterior wall, roof and porch or appurtenance thereto shall be maintained in a manner so as to prevent collapse of the same or injury to the occupants of the building or to the public.

The foundation walls of every building shall be maintained in good repair and shall be structurally sound.