[Amended 12-21-1993 by L.L. No. 1-1993; 4-16-2002 by L.L. No. 1-2002]
No person shall let to another for occupancy
any dwelling or dwelling unit, for the purpose of living therein,
which does not comply with the following requirements:
A. Lighting generally. Every habitable room shall have
at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. Whenever
walls or other portions of structures face a window of any such room
and such light-obstruction structures are located less than three
feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling
of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to
the outdoors and shall not be included as contributing to the required
minimum total window area. The total window area in every habitable
room shall be at least 8% of the floor surface area of such room.
B. Artificial lighting.
(1) Where there is electric service available from power
lines which run not more than 300 feet away from a dwelling, every
habitable room of such dwelling shall contain at least one electric
receptacle for every 20 linear feet (or major fraction) of the total
distance around a room as measured horizontally along the wall at
the floor line. Such receptacles shall, insofar as practicable, be
spaced equal distances apart.
(2) Each habitable room shall contain at least two separate
wall-type electrical outlets or one such convenience outlet and one
supplied ceiling-type electrical light fixture. Every water closet
compartment, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room and public hall
and similar space shall be provided with artificial light adequate
for the intended use of such room or space. Every such outlet, fixture
or receptacle shall be properly installed and be maintained in good
and safe working condition and shall be connected to the source of
electric power in a safe manner.
(a)
Overcurrent protection.
[1]
Fuseholders for plug fuses of 30 amperes or
less shall not be installed or used unless they are of the Type S
with the adaptor inserted or of the Type S construction. Fuses or
circuit breakers shall not exceed wire (conductor) capacity of the
circuit.
[2]
There shall be at least one lighting circuit
for each 500 square feet of floor space and at least one circuit for
kitchen appliances which is separate from the lighting circuits.
[3]
In a multiple-occupancy building, each occupant
shall have access to his or her disconnecting means and overcurrent
protection at all times.
C. Ventilation generally. Every habitable room shall
have at least one window or skylight which can easily be opened or
such other approved method which will adequately ventilate the room.
D. Lighting and ventilation of bathrooms and water closets. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms contained in Subsections
A and
B of this §
166-17, except that no window or skylight shall be required in bathrooms and water closets adequately equipped with a ventilation system approved by the enforcement officer and kept in operable condition.
E. Self-closing devices or screens required during certain
times. From May 1 to October 1, entrances to residential buildings
shall be provided with self-closing-type screen doors. Windows and
other openings used for ventilation shall be properly screened.
F. Heating. The owner or operator shall furnish heating
facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and
good working condition and are capable of safely and adequately heating
all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closet compartments in every
dwelling unit to a temperature of at least 68º F. at a distance
of three feet above floor level under ordinary minimum winter conditions.
It shall be the duty of every person who shall have contracted to
furnish heat for any building or portion thereof occupied as a home
or place of residence of one or more persons to heat or furnish heat
for every occupied room in such building or portion thereof so that
the minimum temperature of 68º F. may be maintained at all times
when the outer or street temperature falls below 50º F. Whenever
the building is heated by means of a furnace, boiler or other apparatus
under the control of the owner, agent or lessee of such building,
such owner, agent or lessee, in the absence of a written contract
or agreement to the contrary, shall be deemed to have contracted,
undertaken or bound himself or herself to furnish heat in accordance
with the provision of this subsection.
G. Storm windows. If a tenant is responsible for the
payment of heating bills, the owner or operator shall furnish storm
windows or an appropriate equivalent from October 1 to May 1 of each
calendar year.