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Village of Bellevue, WI
Brown County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
In addition to the requirements of § 258-13, Scope and applicability, § 258-14, Minimum requirements for basic equipment, exits and facilities, § 258-15, Minimum requirements for light, glazing, ventilation, electric and heating, and § 258-16, Minimum space, use and location requirements, of this chapter, no person shall operate a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory, or occupy or let to another for occupancy any rooming unit in any rooming house or shelter facility or dormitory, except in compliance with the requirements of this article and any other applicable section within the Village of Bellevue Zoning and Municipal Codes.
A. 
Required. No person shall operate a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory without a valid rooming house/shelter facility conditional use permit issued by the Village in the name of the operator and for the specific dwelling, dwelling unit, or structure within which the rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory is contained, provided the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a rooming house associated with and run in connection with licensed educational institutions, hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfast establishments, and community living arrangements for eight or fewer persons which are licensed by an agency of the State of Wisconsin. Shelter facilities, as defined in the Village of Bellevue Municipal Code, shall comply with all the rules and regulations herein.
B. 
Application. Pursuant to Village of Bellevue Zoning Code, Article XXXVII, Administration and Enforcement, and Article XXVI, Physical Development Standards, the operator shall file the application for a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory conditional use permit, to include site and building plans, in the office of the Community Development Director on development request application forms provided by the Village.
C. 
Issuance of building permit and fees. After a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory conditional use permit has been approved, any provisions of approval satisfied, and when all applicable provisions of this article and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto have been shown to be in compliance on a Village approved plan, an operating permit with annual renewal, and where necessary a building permit, may be issued to change the use as approved, and with fees paid construction, if any, may begin.
D. 
Posting of permit. Every rooming house, shelter facility, and dormitory permit issued by the Village shall be conspicuously posted by the operator in the rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory for which it is issued and shall remain so posted at all times unless removed by the order of the Department.
E. 
Nontransferability of permit. No rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory permit issued under this article shall be transferable as to person or place without express written approval by the Village.
F. 
Relationship of permit to other codes. The issuance of a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory operating permit shall not relieve the owner or operator of responsibility for compliance with the codes and requirements of all authorities having jurisdiction as applicable.
G. 
Suspension and revocation of permit.
(1) 
When suspension required. Whenever, upon inspection of a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory, the Department finds that conditions or practices exist which are in violation of any provision of this chapter or any other provisions of the Village of Bellevue Zoning and Municipal Codes or rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or if the operator keeps or maintains a disorderly house, the Department shall, as a first step in gaining compliance prior to commencing a raze action pursuant to § 66.0413, Wis. Stats., give written notice to the operator of such rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory that unless such conditions or practices are corrected within a reasonable period as determined by the Department, the operator's rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory permit will be suspended.
(2) 
Hearing. Prior to the Department commencing a raze action pursuant to § 66.0413, Wis. Stats., any person who has received notice from the Department that the permit is to be suspended unless the existing condition or practices are corrected may request and shall be granted a hearing on the matter before the Village Board. Determinations made by the Village Board as a result of this hearing shall be binding upon the operator/owner. A request for hearing made by the operator/owner/lessee under this subsection shall not preclude the Village from seeking other injunctive relief pursuant to § 66.0413, Wis. Stats.
(3) 
Suspension. If no petition for such hearing is filed within 20 days, the permit shall be automatically suspended and the operator shall cease operation of such rooming house or shelter facility. Based on the condition of the facility, the Department may also commence action to raze the facility in accordance with § 66.0413, Wis. Stats.
No operator shall at any time allow a larger number of persons to occupy any individual or group sleeping room than is permitted by this article.
No person shall operate a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory unless all of the requirements of §§ 258-13, 258-14, 258-15, 258-16 and 258-24 of this chapter are complied with, provided that for the purpose of interpreting the requirements of the designated sections applicable to the enforcement of this article, "multiple dwelling" or "dwelling" shall be interpreted to mean rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory, and "dwelling unit" shall be interpreted to mean rooming unit. Every dwelling unit located within a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory shall comply with all of the requirements for dwelling units as established in accordance with this chapter.
A. 
Toilets and lavatory basins. At least one toilet and lavatory basin, properly connected to an approved water and sewer system and in good working condition, shall be supplied for each eight persons or fraction thereof residing within a rooming house or shelter facility, including members of the operator's family wherever they share the use of such facilities.
B. 
Baths. At least one bath, properly connected to an approved water and sewer system and in good working condition, shall be supplied for each eight persons or fraction thereof residing within a rooming house or shelter facility, including members of the operator's family wherever they share the use of such facilities.
C. 
Location of sanitary facilities. Every toilet, lavatory basin, and bath shall be located within a room which affords privacy to a person within. All such facilities shall be located within the rooming house or shelter facility and shall be accessible to the occupants of each rooming unit sharing such facilities without going outside of the dwelling and without going through another dwelling unit or through a rooming unit of another occupant.
D. 
Minimum area for sleeping purposes for rooming house/shelter facility.
(1) 
The capacity of any room occupied for sleeping purposes shall be as follows:
(a) 
Four hundred cubic feet for each occupant over 12 years of age; and
(b) 
Two hundred cubic feet for each occupant 12 years of age or under.
(2) 
Exception. Upon request of the operator, the Department may at its discretion, with due cause, allow homeless families on an emergency basis to occupy a sleeping room of a shelter facility which does not meet the above minimum sleeping area requirements if the operator makes all reasonable attempts to place the family in another shelter which meets those requirements and so long as the family is placed in a room which complies with these regulations within 72 hours.
E. 
Minimum area for sleeping purposes for dormitories. The capacity of any room occupied for sleeping purposes shall be as follows:
(1) 
Sleeping areas of at least 50 square feet per person residing in the dormitory with no more than four individuals per room, except that more than four individuals may be allowed per room if all said individuals are related by blood, marriage, or adoption.
(2) 
Rooms shall consist of enclosed spaces having walls that extend from the ceiling to the floor and an entry door.
F. 
Number of sleeping rooms. Every sleeping room in every rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory shall be numbered in a plain and conspicuous manner, the number to be placed on the outside of the door to such sleeping room. No two doors shall bear the same number. No number on any door of any sleeping room shall be changed to any other number without first securing the written approval of the Community Development Director.
G. 
Preparation of meals in rooming units of rooming houses and shelter facilities prohibited. No occupant of a sleeping room shall prepare meals or store perishable foods therein. The operator shall post in every sleeping room a sign on which shall be written or printed in letters not less the 3/8-inch in height the following words: "NO COOKING OR STORING PERISHABLE FLOODS PERMITTED IN THIS ROOM" and such sign shall remain posted at all times.
H. 
Preparation and eating of meals in dormitories; number of kitchens/dining areas. In lieu of a cafeteria, there shall be one kitchen and dining area for every 10 individuals or fraction thereof residing in the dormitory facility. Where a cafeteria sized for the overall capacity of the facility is provided, there shall be one kitchen and dining facility for every 50 individuals or fraction thereof residing in the dormitory facility.
I. 
Number of laundry facilities required in rooming houses and dormitory facilities. There shall be one laundry facility, consisting of a minimum of one clothes washer, one clothes dryer, and a washbasin, for every 10 individuals or fraction thereof residing in the rooming house or dormitory facility.
J. 
Number and size of common area/lounge required in rooming house, shelter facility, and dormitories. There shall be a common use area/lounge of at least 600 square feet in size for relaxation and recreation of the occupants for every 10 individuals or fraction thereof residing in the rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory.
K. 
Bed linens and towels. The operator of every rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory shall effect the change of supplied bed linens and towels therein at least once each week and prior to the letting of any room to any occupant. The operator shall maintain all supplied bedding in a reasonably clean and sanitary manner.
L. 
Shades and drapes. Every window of every room used for sleeping shall be supplied with shades, draw drapes, or other devices or materials which when properly used will afford privacy to the occupant of the room.
M. 
Sanitary maintenance. The operator of every rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory shall maintain in a sanitary condition all walls, floors, and ceilings and every part of the rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory and the entire premises where the entire structure or building within which the rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory is contained is leased or occupied by the operator.
N. 
Storage and disposal of rubbish and garbage. Adequate garbage and rubbish storage containers, whose type and location are approved pursuant to Village of Bellevue Zoning Ordinance, Article XXXVII, Administration and Enforcement, Section G, Article XXV, Multi-Family Development Standards, and/or Article XXVI, Physical Development Standards, as appropriate, shall be supplied by the rooming house or shelter facility operator. The operator shall dispose of all rubbish and garbage in a clean and sanitary manner by placing it in the required containers.
O. 
Hanging screens, storm doors, and storm windows. The operator of a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory shall hang all screen and double storm doors and windows whenever the same are required under this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto except where the owner has agreed to supply such service. Screens shall be required from May 1 until October 1 of each year. Storm windows and storm doors shall be required all other times of the year.
P. 
Extermination of pests. The operator of a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory shall cause the extermination of any insects, rodents, or other pests therein and on the entire premises where the entire structure or building within which the rooming house or shelter facility is contained is leased or occupied by the operator. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, whenever infestation of a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory is caused by a failure of the operator to maintain the dwelling within which the rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory is contained in a rodentproof or reasonably insectproof condition, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner.
Q. 
Exits and doors. Every sleeping room in every rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory shall have exits which conform to the exit requirements of the Village of Bellevue Building Codes, if any, and State Building Codes § SPS 321.03, Wis. Adm. Code, for one- and two-family dwellings and Ch. SPS 362, Wis. Adm. Code, for three or more family dwellings and commercial buildings, as applicable. In addition, every exit and passageway shall comply with the following:
(1) 
It shall be easily accessible from every sleeping room by passageway, without passing through any part of another sleeping room.
(2) 
It shall be kept in a reasonably good state of repair.
(3) 
It shall be unobstructed at all times.
(4) 
Exterior doors shall be weatherstripped to avoid air infiltration, have a threshold, have no holes, have all trim intact, and shall be lockable. Doors shall not be secured with hardware or other means that would prevent a person from exiting a building without the use of keys, tools, special knowledge or effort.
(5) 
Exit doors from sleeping rooms shall not have holes, shall have trim intact, and shall be lockable. Doors shall not be secured with hardware or other means that would prevent a person from exiting without the use of keys, tools, special knowledge or effort.
(6) 
Interior doors. All interior doors shall have no holes, have all trim intact, and be openable without the use of a key. This requirement does not preclude the use of a bathroom or bedroom privacy lock.
The operator of a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory shall report to the Brown County Health Department or any State of Wisconsin health care professional licensed under Chapter 441 (Board of Nursing) or Chapter 448 (Medical Practices), Wis. Stats., immediately upon discovery the name of any person living in the rooming house or shelter facility who is suffering from any communicable disease, as listed in Ch. DHS 145, Wis. Adm. Code, and such report shall be made whenever there is reason to believe or suspect that any person in such rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory may be afflicted with any communicable disease.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
Each rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory shall provide a register and require all occupants to register their true names before being assigned a sleeping room. The register shall be kept intact for at least one year.
A. 
Unless otherwise precluded by state or federal law, the operator of a rooming house, shelter facility, or dormitory shall give the law enforcement agency all information from the register as is necessary to:[1]
(1) 
Assist the law enforcement officer in their search for any wanted person at any time;
(2) 
Assist in missing person inquiries;
(3) 
Protect the law enforcement officer prior to law enforcement officer contact or involvement with an individual at the rooming house or shelter facility;
(4) 
Identify person in need of medical attention;
(5) 
Assist in the identification of any deceased person found within the rooming house or shelter facility; or
(6) 
Deliver emergency messages.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
B. 
Unless known personally by the operator or agent, the operator or agent shall require proof of identification, such as a driver's license, birth certificate, social security card, or other reasonable means of identification. After the name of a person occupying any sleeping room, the operator or an agent shall write the number of the room which such person is to occupy together with the date when such room is occupied, all of which shall be done before such person is permitted to occupy such room. No person shall write or cause to be written in any rooming house or shelter facilities register any other or different name than the true name of such person.