The purpose of this article is to provide basic and uniform
administration of and compliance with applicable housing standards
and to establish the responsibilities of parties concerned therewith.
A.
The Department of Building and Code Enforcement, as represented by
the Superintendent of Buildings, is hereby charged with the duty of
administering the applicable housing standards and securing compliance
therewith.
B.
The Superintendent of Buildings is authorized to conduct surveys
of housing in any area of the Village to determine the condition of
premises, extent of deterioration, lack of facilities, inadequate
maintenance, unsafe and unsanitary conditions, extent of overcrowding,
land use and other relevant factors.
C.
It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Buildings to:
(1)
Make or cause to be made inspections of premises within the scope
of the housing standards;
(2)
Cause an investigation of complaints of alleged violations of the
housing standards;
(3)
Issue written orders for the elimination or removal of conditions
affecting or found to exist in, on, or about premises in violation
of the housing standards and, where appropriate, order the cessation
of an unlawful use or nuisance or the vacation, demolition, or repair
of premises found dangerous or unsafe and to state in the violation
order a reasonable time limit for compliance therewith and the time
within which an appeal may be taken;
(4)
Request the Board of Trustees to take appropriate legal action upon
failure to comply with a violation order or orders;
(5)
Keep official records of actions and activities;
(6)
Subject to the advanced approval of the Board of Trustees, cause
studies to be made of housing and environmental conditions for the
purpose of community improvement;
[Amended 6-17-2014 by L.L. No. 8-2014]
(7)
Cooperate with other public and private agencies engaged in the study
and improvement of housing and environmental conditions; and
(8)
If requested by the Board of Trustees, publish an annual report including
a summary of actions, activities, results, accomplishments, and studies,
as well as current and proposed programs.
A.
The Superintendent of Buildings or any other authorized inspector
shall be authorized and have the right, in the performance of his
or her duties, to enter any commercial and multiple dwelling premises
during normal business hours and all premises in emergencies whenever
necessary to protect the public interest.
B.
Owners, agents, operators and occupants shall be responsible for
providing access to all parts of the premises within their control
to authorized personnel acting in the performance of their duties
in accordance with this chapter.
A.
The Superintendent of Buildings shall keep records of all complaints
received, inspections made and violations found regarding premises
regulated by the housing standards.
B.
Records shall be kept in a manner and form as prescribed by law and
shall be available for public inspection also as allowed by law.
A.
Owners of premises shall be responsible for compliance with the housing
standards and shall remain responsible therefor regardless of the
fact that this chapter may also place certain responsibilities on
operators and occupants and regardless of any agreements between owners
and operators or occupants as to which party shall assume such responsibility.
B.
Owners of premises shall be responsible for proper maintenance, condition
and operation of service facilities and for furnishing adequate heat
and hot-water supply in multiple dwellings.
C.
It shall be the obligation of each owner of premises occupied by
others to conduct regular inspections of such premises and to ensure
that such premises and the occupancy thereof comply with the standards
set forth in this chapter.
Lodging house operators shall be responsible for compliance
with the housing standards with regard to the following:
A.
Limiting occupancy to the maximum permitted by the housing standards.
B.
Maintenance of safe and sanitary conditions in all parts of lodging
house premises.
C.
Maintenance and operation of all required service facilities.
D.
Maintenance of all plumbing, cooking and refrigeration fixtures and
appliances within his control, as well as other building equipment
and facilities, in an operative, clean and sanitary condition.
E.
Sanitary maintenance of walls, floors and ceilings and the painting
of walls and ceilings every three years.
F.
Keeping exits, public halls and stairways clear and unencumbered.
G.
Providing adequate sanitary facilities and using methods for the
collection, storage, handling and disposal of building garbage and
refuse.
H.
Enclosing all bulk containers and dumpsters with fencing and shrubs
and other screenings as approved by the Superintendent of Buildings.
I.
Maintaining buildings and structures free of insects, rodents or
other pests on the premises and the extermination thereof.
J.
Hanging and removing required screens and child safety window guards.
Occupants of dwelling units shall be responsible for compliance
with the housing standards with regard to the following:
A.
Limiting occupancy of that part of the premises which he or she occupies
or controls to the maximum permitted by the housing standards.
B.
Maintenance of that part of the premises which he or she occupies
or controls in a clean, sanitary and safe condition.
C.
Maintenance of all plumbing, cooking and refrigeration fixtures and
appliances, as well as other building equipment and storage facilities
in that part of the premises which he or she occupies or controls,
in a clean and sanitary condition and providing reasonable care in
the operation and use thereof.
D.
Keeping exits from the dwelling unit clear and unencumbered.
E.
Disposing of garbage and refuse into provided facilities in a clean
and sanitary manner.
F.
Maintaining his or her premises free of insects, rodents or other
pests.
G.
Extermination of insects, rodents or other pests within his or her
dwelling unit if his or her unit is the only one infested in the premises.
H.
Keeping his or her domestic animals and pets in an appropriate manner
and under control.
