The following standards are hereby established as the minimum requirements
necessary to render a dwelling unit or residence building fit for human occupancy.
Every living room in every dwelling unit shall have one or more windows
opening directly upon a street or other open public space or upon a court
or open space located upon the same lot or plot as the building. The tops
of windows in each room shall have an area between stop beads of at least
1/10 of the floor area of the room, and at least 50% of the required window
area shall be available as clear ventilating area. In addition, all windows
shall contain an approved device which will permit a window to remain open
at various positions.
Each dwelling unit shall have facilities for adequate running water
and hot water in the bathroom and kitchen or room furnished with kitchen equipment.
Each room in such dwelling unit shall have adequate electric fixtures therein
so as to afford adequate lighting facilities in accordance with the Village
of Freeport Electrical Code.
[Amended 12-22-1980 by L.L. No. 13-1980]
A. Every dwelling unit 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. The use of unvented flame space
heaters and space heaters without back-draft diverters and automatic controls
is prohibited.
B. A person who shall have contracted or undertaken, or
who is required by law, to furnish heat to any dwelling unit 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
70° F. during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and not less than 65°
F. during the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. at a distance of 18 inches
above floor level and three feet from an outside wall. Such temperatures shall
be maintained during the heating season of October 1 through the following
May 31.
C. Where fuel rationing is imposed, or an energy crisis
or an emergency exists, the Superintendent of Buildings is authorized to grant
a general variance or exemption from the provisions of this section and the
chapter and to take such action as he deems necessary or appropriate under
the circumstances in the interest of public health, for the period of the
fuel rationing, energy crisis or emergency.
D. Noncompliance.
(1) When there are repeated instances during a heating season of noncompliance with the provisions of Subsection
B of this section in a multiple dwelling, the Superintendent may order and direct that a prompt inspection of the heating system be made by a qualified heating engineer at the expense of the owner or operator, or both. A copy of the inspection report with the recommendations of the engineer shall be filed with the Department of Buildings not later than 10 days following the date of the Superintendent's order.
(2) The Superintendent of Buildings shall take such action and make such order as he shall deem necessary or desirable to implement the report and recommendations of the engineer. Nothing contained in this Subsection
D shall limit or abridge in any way any duties or powers of the Superintendent imposed upon him or given to him by law, or operate in any respect as a waiver of the responsibility of the owner or operator, or both, to comply with the provisions of this section.
E. Portable heating equipment. Portable heating equipment
employing a flame and heating equipment using gasoline or kerosene do not
meet the standards of this chapter and are prohibited.
F. Hot water. Every lavatory sink, bathroom shower and/or
tub and kitchen sink shall be capable of providing water at the tap with a
minimum temperature of 120° F.
Any building wherein conditions exist which fail to conform to the foregoing
standards is hereby declared to be substandard and the use thereof for human
occupancy declared unlawful.
Any buildings which shall have any or all of the following defects shall
also be deemed and are hereby declared substandard buildings and shall not
be used for human occupancy:
A. Cellar or basement units. Any cellar or basement unit
or any living room in which 2/3 or more is below the mean grade level thereto,
provided that if such cellar or basement dwelling unit shall be vacated and
shall cease to be used for dwelling purposes, then and in that event such
building shall cease to be a substandard building because of the existence
therein of such dwelling units. Mean grade level shall be determined by averaged
ground level within the distance of the first 10 feet from the outside wall
of such cellar or basement.
B. Dilapidated and unfit buildings. Those which have become
or are so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe and unsanitary that they are unfit
for human habitation or are likely to cause sickness or disease so as to work
injury to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of those who live
or may live therein.
C. Inadequate light, air and sanitation. Those having light,
air and sanitation facilities which are inadequate to protect the health,
morals, safety or general welfare of human beings who do or may live therein.
D. Unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous buildings. Those which,
because of their condition, are unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous to the health,
morals, safety or general welfare of the people of the Village.