[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Hempstead 4-21-1981 by L.L. No. 19-1981. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
A.Â
APPROVED
BASEMENT
BUILDING
CELLAR
DWELLING
DWELLING UNIT
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS
EXTERMINATION
GARBAGE
GRADE
HABITABLE ROOM
INFESTATION
KITCHEN
KITCHENETTE
MULTIPLE RESIDENCE
OCCUPANT
OPENABLE AREA
OPERATOR
OWNER
PLUMBING
PREMISES
PUBLIC HALL
ROOMING HOUSE
ROOMING UNIT
RUBBISH
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING
SUPPLIED
VENTILATION
VENTILATION, MECHANICAL
VENTILATION, NATURAL
WATER CLOSET
Definitions. The following definitions shall apply
in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter:
Constructed, installed and maintained in accordance with
the provisions of this chapter and other pertinent ordinances or regulations
of the Village.
That space of a building that is partly below grade which
has more than 1/2 of its height, measured from floor to ceiling, above
the average established curb level or finished grade of the ground
adjoining the building.
Any structure having a roof for the shelter, housing or enclosure
of persons, animals, chattels or property of any kind.
That space of a building that is partly or entirely below
grade which has more than half of its height, measured from floor
to ceiling, below the average established curb level or finished grade
of the ground adjoining the building.
A building designed or used exclusively as the living quarters
for one or more persons.
A dwelling or portion thereof providing complete living facilities
for one family.
The Superintendent of the Building Department or a person
designated by the Board of Trustees to carry out the duties of enforcement
and administration specified in this chapter.
Open spaces on the premises and vacant open spaces on adjacent
premises.
The control and elimination of insects, rodents or other
pests by eliminating their harborage places, by removing or making
inaccessible materials that may serve as their food or by any recognized
and legal pest elimination method approved by the enforcement officer.
The animal, vegetable and mineral waste resulting from the
handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
The natural surface of the ground or the surface of the ground
after completion of any change in contour, including the completed
surfaces of lawns, walks and roads brought to grades as shown on official
plans or designs relative thereto.
A room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used
for living, sleeping, cooking, recreation or eating purposes, excluding
stairways, bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundries, pantries,
foyers, communicating corridors, closets and storage spaces.
The presence within or around a dwelling, dwelling unit,
multiple dwelling or any premises of insects, rodents, vermin or other
pests.
Space, 60 square feet or more in floor area, with a minimum
width of five feet, used in cooking or preparation of food and deemed
habitable space.
Space, less than 60 square feet in floor area, used for cooking
or preparation of food and not deemed habitable space.
A building containing three or more dwelling units.
Any person, including an owner or operator, living, sleeping,
cooking, eating in or having actual possession of a dwelling unit
or room in a rooming house.
Any part of a window or door which is available for unobstructed
ventilation and which opens directly to the outdoors.
Any person having charge, care, management or control of
any dwelling or part thereof in which dwelling units or rooming units
are let.
Any person who, alone, jointly or severally with others,
holds legal or equitable title to any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming
house or rooming unit.
All of the following supplied facilities and equipment: gas
pipes, gas-burning equipment, water pipes, garbage disposal units,
waste pipes, water closets, sinks, installed dishwashers, lavatories,
bathtubs, shower baths, installed clothes washing machines, catch
basins, drains, vents and any other similar supplied fixtures, together
with all connections to water, sewer or gas lines.
A plotted lot or part thereof or an unplotted lot or parcel
of land or plot of land, either unimproved or improved with any dwelling
or nondwelling structure.
Any hall, corridor or passageway not within the exclusive
control of one family.
Any dwelling or part thereof which contains one or more rooming
units, in which space is let by the occupant or owner to three or
more persons for hire or otherwise.
Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit
used or intended to be used for living or sleeping but not for cooking
or eating purposes.
All combustible and noncombustible waste, except garbage.
A dwelling occupied by one family alone.
Paid for, furnished or provided by or under the control of
the owner or operator, his agents and/or representatives.
The supply and removal of air to and from a space by natural
or mechanical means.
Ventilation by power-driven devices.
Ventilation by opening to the outer air through windows,
skylights, doors, louvers or stacks with or without wind-driven devices.
A toilet, with a bowl and trap, which is connected to the
Village water and sewer system or to other approved water supply and
sewer system.
B.Â
Word usage. Whenever the words "building," "dwelling,"
"dwelling unit," "rooming house" and "premises" are used in this chapter,
they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words
"or any part thereof."
It is hereby found and declared that there exist
in the Village structures used for residential and nonresidential
purposes which are or may become in the future substandard with respect
to structure, equipment or maintenance, and further that such conditions,
including but not limited to structural deterioration, lack of maintenance
and appearance of exterior of premises, infestation, lack of maintenance
or upkeep of essential facilities, existence of fire hazards, inadequate
provisions for light and air and unsanitary conditions, constitute
a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort
of the citizens and inhabitants of the Village. It is further found
and declared that by reason of lack of maintenance and because of
progressive deterioration, certain properties have the further effect
of creating blighting conditions, and that if the same are not curtailed
and removed, the aforesaid conditions will grow and spread and will
necessitate in time the expenditure of large amounts of public funds
to correct and eliminate the same, and that by reason of timely regulations
and restrictions as herein contained, the growth of blight may be
prevented and the neighborhood and property values thereby maintained,
the desirability and amenities of residential and nonresidential uses
and neighborhoods enhanced and the public health, safety and welfare
protected and fostered.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the
public health, safety, morals and welfare by establishing minimum
standards governing the maintenance, appearance, condition and occupancy
of residential and nonresidential premises; to establish minimum standards
governing facilities and other physical components and conditions
essential to make the aforesaid facilities fit for human habitation,
occupancy and use; and to fix certain responsibilities and duties
upon owners, operators and occupants.
Every building or structure used or intended
to be used for residential, nonresidential or mixed occupancy and
the land upon which it is situated shall comply with the provisions
of this chapter whether or not such building or structure shall have
been constructed, altered or repaired before or after the enactment
of this chapter and irrespective of any permits or licenses which
shall have been issued for the use or occupancy of the building or
structure, for the construction or repair of the building or structure
or for the installation or repair of equipment or facilities prior
to the effective date of this chapter.
In any case where the provisions of this chapter
impose a higher standard than set forth in any other local laws or
ordinances or under the laws of the State of New York or any of its
subdivisions, then the standards as set forth herein shall prevail,
but if the provisions of this chapter impose a lower standard than
any other local laws or ordinances or the laws of the State of New
York or any of its subdivisions, then the higher standard contained
in any such other ordinances or laws shall prevail.
No license or permit or other certification
of compliance with this chapter shall constitute a defense against
any violation of any other local law or ordinance applicable to any
building, structure or premises, nor shall any provision herein relieve
any owner, operator or occupant from complying with any such other
provision nor any official of the Village from enforcing any such
other provision.
A.Â
Buildings and structures. The owner, operator or occupant
shall maintain each and every part of the building or structure free
of all nuisances and any hazards to the safety of the occupants, pedestrians
and all persons utilizing the premises and maintain accessory structures
and appurtenant equipment and fixtures in attractive condition and
good repair, capable of performing the function for which same was
designed or intended to be used, including but not limited to the
following:
(1)Â
Exterior surfaces of buildings and structures that
are not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be sealed and
regularly treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable
preservative sufficient to prevent deterioration and to maintain a
neat and orderly appearance. All such surfaces shall be maintained
free of excessive flaking, peeling and crumbling.
(2)Â
In the case of multifamily and commercial buildings
and structures, interior floors, walls, ceilings, furnishings and
fixtures shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition.
(3)Â
Every roof, wall, window, exterior door and hatchway
shall be kept free from holes or leaks that would permit the entrance
of water within any building or structure.
(4)Â
All buildings and structures shall be kept in a clean,
sanitary and safe condition, free from lifter, debris, rubbish, garbage,
junk, vermin, rodents and health and safety hazards of any kind. No
building shall, except in emergency, ongoing construction or vacancy,
be boarded up in part or whole.
[Amended 9-3-1991 by L.L. No. 11-1991]
(5)Â
Entrances to multifamily buildings shall be provided
with self-closing- and self-locking-type doors. Windows and other
openings used for ventilation in any building used for residence purposes
shall be screened and shades, drapes, curtains or similar devices
provided.
(6)Â
Foundations of every building and structure shall
be maintained structurally sound and in good repair so as to prevent
the accumulation of moisture within the space enclosed by such foundation,
and such foundation and any window or door thereon shall be protected
against the entrance of rodents.
(7)Â
Roofs of every building or structure used for multiple
residence or commercial purposes shall be maintained weathertight
and be equipped with gutters and downspouts connected either to a
public or private storm sewer or combined storm and sanitary sewer
or to splash boxes of sufficient length to ensure that drainage does
not cause excessive erosion, ponding or water damage and does not
create a nuisance on public or private property. All roofs, gutters
and downspouts shall be maintained in a good state of repair.
(8)Â
The exterior of every building and structure and all
appurtenances thereto, both above and below the roof line, shall be
maintained in good repair, in a safe condition, weathertight and so
as to resist decay or deterioration from any cause.
(9)Â
All exposed surfaces shall be maintained free of damaged,
disintegrating, crumbling, broken or missing materials, excessive
pitting or corrosion and unsafe defects, and all broken or missing
glass panes shall be replaced.
(10)Â
The exterior of every building and structure shall
be maintained free of buckled, sagging, broken, partially missing,
rotted or decayed walls, doors, windows, porches, balconies, steps,
stairways, railings, balusters, chimneys and decorative trim. The
exterior of every building and structure shall be maintained so that
the appearance of the premises shall not constitute a blighting factor
for adjoining property.
(11)Â
Every repair to and replacement of a portion of the
exterior of a building and structure or part thereof or appurtenances
thereto shall match and conform to the overall exterior design of
such structure.
(12)Â
All interior walls, floors and ceilings of every building
and structure used for residence purposes shall be maintained free
of holes, large cracks and any loose or deteriorated material and
shall have a decorative coating of paint, wallpaper or other substance
located thereon and shall be maintained in a clean and proper condition.
Toxic coatings, including those paints, lacquers or any other coatings
that contain a higher level of lead than permitted by law, are prohibited.
(13)Â
All floors within any bathroom or water closet compartment
of a building or structure used for residence purposes shall be made
water-resistant and nonabsorbent.
(14)Â
All multiple residences and all lands surrounding
the same shall be kept free from rodents, vermin and insects. All
such multiple residences shall be exterminated at least once every
month by an exterminator licensed by the New York State Department
of Environmental Control. Reports of extermination shall be kept on
file with the owner and be available to the Building Department.
[Added 12-2-1986 by L.L. No. 9-1986]
B.Â
Yards and open areas. The owner, occupant or other
person having charge of any premises shall maintain the yards and
open areas thereof in accordance with the following requirements:
[Amended 1-19-1988 by L.L. No. 3-1988; 9-3-1991 by L.L. No. 11-1991]
(1)Â
Surface and subsurface water shall be drained to prevent
damage to buildings and structures and to prevent the development
of stagnant water. Gutters, culverts, catch basins, drain inlets,
stormwater sewers and sanitary sewers or other satisfactory drainage
systems shall be provided and utilized. In no event shall the water
from any rain leader (or sanitary drainage system) be allowed to flow
over the sidewalk or upon adjoining property, either public or private.
(2)Â
Fences and retaining walls shall be maintained in
a safe condition.
(3)Â
In the case of multifamily and commercial buildings
and structures, steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces and similar
paved areas shall be maintained so as to afford safe passage under
normal use and weather conditions.
(4)Â
Within 12 hours after the cessation of snowfall, snow
and ice shall be plowed, shoveled and removed from all steps, walks,
driveways and parking areas used or intended to be used by tenants,
occupants, customers, invitees or other members of the public. No
snow or ice so removed shall be deposited upon the public streets
or sidewalks so as to interfere with the use of such streets or sidewalks
or with the use of any other premises.
(5)Â
All parking areas and driveways on premises used for
multifamily purposes shall be paved with concrete or asphalt, which
shall be kept in good repair, and all parking spaces shall be clearly
marked with painted white or yellow lines. All parking areas and driveways
described in this subsection shall be regularly cleaned to avoid accumulation
of dirt, paper and other debris or litter.
(6)Â
Dead and dying trees and limbs or other natural growth
which, by reason of rotting or deteriorating conditions or storm damage,
constitute a hazard to persons in the vicinity thereof, shall be removed.
Heavy undergrowth and accumulation of plant growth which is unsightly,
noxious or detrimental to health shall be eliminated or removed. Trees,
hedges, bushes, shrubs and vegetation of any kind shall be kept pruned
or trimmed. Grass shall not be permitted to exceed four inches in
height.
(7)Â
The yards and open areas of any premises shall be
kept in a clean, sanitary and safe condition, free from litter, debris,
rubbish, garbage, junk, vermin, rodents and health and safety hazards
of any kind.
(8)Â
It shall be unlawful to park or store or permit to
be parked or stored in any yard or open area of a premises any motor
vehicle that is abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, junked or substantially
damaged and which is not intended to be used or in no condition for
legal use upon the public highway.
C.Â
The Enforcement
Officer shall issue a summons for the violation of any of the provisions
of this section to the property owner, occupant or operator.
[Added 9-1-2009 by L.L. No. 7-2009; 4-19-2011 by L.L. No.
4-2011]
(1)Â
In addition
to a summons, the Enforcement Officer shall issue a notice in writing
which shall be served personally or mailed by certified mail, return
receipt requested, and regular first-class mail to the last known
address of the property owner, occupant, or operator, of their obligation
to correct such violation within five business days of the service
of such notice.
(2)Â
In the
event that the property owner, occupant or operator fails to correct
such violation within five business days of the service of such notice,
the Village may cause the necessary maintenance to be performed and
shall assess all costs and expenses incurred against such property.
Such assessment shall be collected in the same manner that taxes are
collected as provided by law.
A.Â
Sanitary methods and facilities shall be used for
the collection, storage, handling and disposal of garbage, refuse
and other debris.
B.Â
Garbage, refuse and other debris shall not be permitted
to accumulate in public halls and stairways of buildings and structures
used for multifamily or commercial premises.
C.Â
Garbage, refuse and other debris shall be kept in
covered watertight containers, and when not out for collection, such
containers shall be stored in such a manner that they are out of the
public view and shall not create a nuisance or health hazard.
D.Â
Garbage, refuse and other debris shall be removed
in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Public Works Department
or any other municipal agency.
[Amended 9-3-1991 by L.L. No. 11-1991; 11-19-1991 by L.L. No.
20-1991; 11-19-2002 by L.L. No. 7-2002; 10-7-2008 by L.L. No.
11-2008]
The Superintendent of the Building Department and other duly appointed law enforcement officers of the Village shall be charged with the duty of administering and enforcing this chapter. In addition, the following are also charged with the duty of administering and enforcing §§ 78-7B(2) through (8) and 78-8 of this chapter:
Ordinance Inspector
|
Deputy Building Superintendent
|
Village Code Inspector
|
Code Enforcement Officer
|
Zoning Inspector
|
Assistant Superintendent of Building Department
|
Senior Building Inspector
|
Building Inspector
|
Senior Fire Prevention Inspector
|
Fire Prevention Inspector
|
Electrical Inspector
|
Housing Inspector
|
Inspector of Street Maintenance
|
Complaint Investigator
|
Superintendent of Public Works
|
Deputy Superintendent of Public Works
|
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works
|
General Supervisor
|
Superintendent of Engineering
|
Assistant Superintendent of Engineering
|
Supervisor of Sanitation Operations
|
Sanitation General Supervisor
|
Sanitation Supervisor
|
Assistant Sanitation Supervisor
|
Sanitation Inspector
|
Each habitable living room shall have at least
one window opening directly upon a street or other open space. In
addition, all windows shall contain an approved device which will
permit the window to remain open at various positions.
A.Â
Every dwelling, multiple dwelling and rooming house
shall have heating facilities which shall be properly installed and
maintained in good working order and shall safely and adequately heat
all habitable rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms and water closet compartments.
B.Â
Every space heater shall be properly vented through
an approved flue leading to the outer air and shall be adequately
insulated from all combustible materials.
[Amended 9-4-1990 by L.L. No. 10-1990]
A.Â
A person who shall have contracted or undertaken or
who is required by law to furnish heat to any dwelling, dwelling unit,
multiple dwelling or rooming house shall furnish heat to all habitable
rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms and water closet compartments so as
to maintain therein a temperature of not less than 68° F. at a
distance of 18 inches above floor level and two feet from an outside
wall. Such temperatures shall be maintained during the heating season
of September 15 through the following May 31.
[Amended 12-17-2013 by L.L. No. 11-2013]
B.Â
Heating facilities inspection procedures for multiple
dwellings; responsibility of owners or agents.
(1)Â
It shall be the responsibility of the owner or agent
of multiple dwellings to provide the Village Tenant Coordinator with
a complete written inspection report, which shall be obtained from
a recognized heating contractor or engineer.
(2)Â
Inspections and reports shall be made not earlier
than June 1 nor later than August 31 of each year and sent to the
Tenant Coordinator who must be in receipt of the inspections and reports
no later than September 1 of each year.
[Amended 12-6-2011 by L.L. No. 10-2011]
(3)Â
Heating facility reports. Each inspection report relating
to heating facilities shall indicate whether or not the heating facility
is in proper working condition and capable of providing an indoor
temperature of 68° F. and hot water to a temperature of 120°
F. in each apartment and complies with the regulations and standards
applicable to heating systems as prescribed in the New York State
Fire Prevention and Building Construction Code.
C.Â
In the event that any provision of Subsection A shall not be complied with by an owner or agent of a multiple dwelling or rooming house by reason of lack of fuel, the Board of Trustees herewith finds and determines that such failure shall constitute a public emergency, affecting the life, health and welfare of the tenants thereof, and the Building Department shall be authorized to purchase heating fuel and have the same immediately delivered to the multiple dwelling or rooming house. The cost of such emergency fuel delivery shall be borne by the owner. Should the owner fail to pay for the delivery of the emergency fuel ordered by the Building Department pursuant to the authority set forth in this subsection, said costs shall be added to the current taxes of the owner of record.
[Added 10-2-1990 by L.L. No. 11-1990]
A.Â
Water supply, sewage disposal. All plumbing fixtures
required by this section shall be connected to an approved source
of water supply and to an approved system of sewage disposal.
B.Â
Condition of plumbing fixtures. All plumbing fixtures
shall be properly installed and maintained in good working order.
C.Â
Privacy of water closet facilities. Every dwelling
unit shall contain within its walls a room, separate from the habitable
rooms, which affords privacy and which is equipped with a flush water
closet and a lavatory basin.
D.Â
Privacy of bathing facilities. Every dwelling unit
shall contain within its walls a room, separate from the habitable
rooms, which affords privacy to a person in the room and which is
equipped with a bathtub or shower.
E.Â
Kitchen sink required. Every dwelling unit shall contain
a kitchen sink properly connected to the hot- and cold-water supply
and sewer system.
F.Â
Plumbing fixtures in rooming houses. In every rooming
house the following minimum plumbing fixtures are required for each
multiple of six sleeping rooms: a water closet, a bathtub or shower
and a lavatory.
G.Â
Hot- and cold-water requirements. Every kitchen sink,
lavatory and bathtub or shower required by this Code shall be properly
connected with both hot- and cold-water lines. The hot-water lines
shall be connected with supplied water-heating facilities, and hot
water at a temperature of not less than 120° F. shall be available
at all times.
A.Â
Dwelling units. Every dwelling unit shall contain
at least 150 square feet of habitable floor area for the first occupant,
and at least 75 square feet of additional habitable floor area for
each additional occupant.
B.Â
Sleeping rooms. In every dwelling unit and in every
rooming unit, every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant
shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor area, and every room
occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain
at least 50 square feet of floor area for each occupant 12 years of
age or over and at least 35 square feet of floor area for each occupant
under 12 years of age.
C.Â
Calculation of floor area. Floor area shall be calculated
on the basis of habitable room area. However, closet area and hall
area within the dwelling unit, where provided, may count for not more
than 10% of the required habitable floor area. At least 70 square
feet of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of at least
seven feet six inches; and the floor area of any part of any room
where the ceiling height is less than 4Â 1/2 feet shall not be
considered as part of the floor area in computing the total floor
area of the room to determine maximum permissible occupancy.
[Amended 5-17-1983 by L.L. No. 3-1983]
No cellar or basement space shall be used as
a habitable room or dwelling unit. In a single- or two-family residence,
one play or recreation room only may be located in the basement or
cellar. In addition, the basement or cellar may be partitioned to
enclose areas containing a furnace, bath, toilet or laundry. However,
in an urban renewal area, where multiple-residence buildings are to
be constructed under Urban Renewal Plan Controls (URPC) which prescribe
maximum residential densities, land coverage or other controls which
are more restrictive than are permitted in this Code for the same
zone, a basement may be occupied for residence purposes, provided
that the finished floor of such basement is not lower than four feet
below the finished grade.
A.Â
Location of habitable space. No dwelling unit or rooming
unit shall be located within a building containing any establishment
handling, dispensing or storing flammable liquids in any manner which
constitutes a danger to the lives of the occupants.
B.Â
Egress at ground level. Every dwelling unit and every
rooming unit shall have safe, unobstructed means of egress leading
to safe and open space at ground level.
C.Â
Obstruction of egress. Every hallway, stairway, corridor,
exit, fire escape door and other means of egress shall be kept clear
at all times.
D.Â
Prohibited storage. Storage rooms and storage lockers
shall not be used for storage of junk, rubbish, waste or garbage.
E.Â
Storage beneath stairways. Closets or storage beneath
stairways are prohibited in any multiple residence dwelling or any
rooming house.
F.Â
Minimum egress facilities. There shall be at least
two means of egress available from each story of every multiple residence
dwelling and of every rooming house if the dwelling is three or more
stories in height or is three stories in height and has at least five
habitable rooms on the third story. A basement used as a dwelling
unit for a superintendent of those premises shall not count as a story
for the purpose of this subsection.
G.Â
Location of exit facilities. Exit facilities from
dwellings or dwelling units shall lead to a public thoroughfare either
directly or through a court or yard, and passage to such exits shall
not lead through any other dwelling or dwelling unit.
H.Â
Cooking equipment to comply with code. No owner, operator
or occupant shall furnish or use any cooking equipment which does
not comply with this code.
I.Â
Condition of cooking equipment. Every piece of cooking
equipment shall be so constructed and installed that it will function
safely and effectively and shall be maintained in sound working condition.
J.Â
Portable cooking equipment. Portable cooking equipment
employing gasoline, kerosene or other high flammables as fuel for
cooking is prohibited.
K.Â
Chimneys, flues, vents. 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 to a chimney, flue
or vent.
L.Â
Heating equipment; installation, use. Heating equipment
shall be installed in a manner which will avoid the dangerous concentration
of fumes and gases. Unvented portable space heaters burning liquid
or gaseous fuels shall be prohibited. Heating equipment shall not
be forced to operate beyond the safe capacity for which it was designed.
M.Â
Storage of fuel. Fuels shall be stored in accordance
with generally accepted practice and in a manner which will minimize
the danger of fire. No gasoline or highly flammable fuel shall be
stored within any structure used for human habitation.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 78-17, Boardinghouses, rooming
and lodging houses, was repealed 1-21-2020 by L.L. No. 1-2020.
[Added 1-7-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986]
A.Â
Applicability. The provisions of this section shall
apply to any existing or hereafter erected multiple residence, hotel,
single room occupancy, boarding home, rooming and lodging house.
B.Â
The floors of means of egress shall be illuminated
at all times, at all points, including angles and intersections of
corridors and passageways, stairways, landings of stairs and exit
doors to values of not less than one footcandle measured at the floor.
Performance of emergency lighting facilities shall be in accordance
with accepted standards prescribed in the National Fire Protection
Associations Life Safety Code No. 101 and the National Electric Code
No. 70.
C.Â
Plans and specifications for the installation or alterations
of emergency lighting systems must be submitted to the Building Department
prior to such installation or alteration. No such installation or
alteration shall be commenced until the issuance of written approval
by the Building Department.
[Added 4-18-2000 by L.L. No. 4-2000]
A.Â
Application. The provisions of this section shall
apply to all multiple dwellings, including multiple residences, hotels,
single room occupancies, boarding homes and rooming and lodging houses,
whether or not such dwelling shall have been constructed, altered
or replaced or repaired before or after the enactment of this section.
B.Â
In all multiple dwellings, the dwelling unit or sleeping
unit number shall be affixed to the entrance door on the corridor
side. No two rooms shall bear the same number.
C.Â
Entrance doors to dwelling unit. Entrance doors to
dwelling units shall be equipped with a lock operable by a key from
the outside and a thumb-turn from the inside. Each dwelling unit entrance
door shall also be equipped with a chain guard so as to permit partial
opening of the door. Each dwelling unit entrance door shall also be
equipped with a viewing device located so as to enable a person on
the inside of the entrance door to view a person immediately outside.
D.Â
Exit door signs. An EXIT sign shall be affixed to
the exit door opening into a stairshaft or directly to the exterior
on the corridor side indicating the word "EXIT."
E.Â
Characteristics of dwelling unit or sleeping unit
numbers, entrance door and exit door signs. Dwelling unit or sleeping
unit numbers and entrance door and exit door signs shall have the
characteristic that they have a reflective finish.
(1)Â
Lettering/numerals and coloring of signs.
(a)Â
The lettering/numerals and background shall
be in contrasting colors.
(b)Â
The lettering and/or numerals shall be of bold
type and properly spaced to provide good legibility.
(c)Â
The lettering and/or numerals of such signs
shall not be less than two inches in height and shall have a width
of not less than 3/8 inch. Such signs shall be located not less than
six inches and not more than 12 inches above the floor and shall be
affixed in such a manner that they cannot be readily removed.
(3)Â
Attachment of signs. Signs shall be securely attached
to the bottom of all doors.
F.Â
Report of compliance. Owners shall file a report with
the Building Department certifying that they have posted the signs
in accordance with the requirements set forth in this section.
G.Â
Compliance date. All signs shall be installed on or
before June 1, 2000.