The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Any person who has charge, care or control of a building,
or part thereof, in which dwelling units or rooming units are rented.
A story whose floor may be partly below grade, but the ceiling
of which is not less than 4 1/2 feet above the grade of the adjoining
ground.
A portion of a building located partly or wholly underground,
the ceiling of which is less than 4 1/2 feet above the grade
of the adjoining ground.
Any building which is wholly or partly used or intended to
be used for living or sleeping by human occupants; provided that temporary
housing shall not be regarded as a dwelling. The term "dwelling" includes
a dwelling unit and rooming unit and includes the whole or any part
thereof, as well as the premises thereof.
Any room or group of rooms located within a dwelling and
forming a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or
intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating.
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; by poisoning,
spraying, fumigating or trapping; or by any other recognized and legal
pest elimination methods approved by the Health Department.
The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling,
preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
A room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used
for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes, excluding bathrooms,
water closet compartments, laundries, pantries, foyers or communicating
corridors, stairs, closets and storage spaces.
Water at a temperature not less than 120° F.
The presence, within or around a dwelling, of any insects,
rodents or other pests.
Any structure or that part of any structure in which space
is let by the owner or operator to five or more persons. A philanthropic
institution similarly occupied shall also be classified as a lodging
house.
Any dwelling containing more than three dwelling units.
Any person, over one year of age, living, sleeping, cooking
or eating in, or having actual possession of, a dwelling unit or rooming
unit.
Includes the words "designed, arranged or intended to be
occupied."
The temperature 0° F.
A person who, alone or jointly or severally with others,
shall have:
Legal title to any dwelling or dwelling unit, with or without
accompanying actual possession thereof; or
Charge, care or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit, as
owner or agent of the owner, or as executor, executrix, administrator,
administratrix, trustee or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any
such person thus representing the actual owner shall be bound to comply
with the provisions of this article, and of any regulations adopted
pursuant thereto, to the same extent as if he were the owner.
All the following supplied facilities and equipment: gas
pipes, gas-burning equipment, garbage disposal units, waste pipes,
water pipes, water closets, sinks, installed dishwashers, lavatories,
bathtubs, shower-baths, installed clothes washing machines, catchbasins,
drains, vents and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with
all connections to water, sewer or gas lines.
Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit
or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking
or eating purposes.
Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage.
The term shall include residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke
and other combustible material, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood,
excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans,
metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery, dust and other similar substances.
A heating appliance located entirely above the floor for
the direct heating of the space in and adjacent to that in which the
device is located and without external heating pipes and ducts.
Paid for, furnished or provided by or under the control of
the owner or operator.
Any tent, trailer or other structure used for human shelter
which is designed to be transportable and which is not attached to
the ground, to another structure or to any utilities system for more
than 30 consecutive days.
A flush water closet with a seat and cover, and the room
in which it is located.
Air exchange shall be considered adequate when there is an
air exchange of 20 cubic feet per person per minute.
The area of the window space opening, measured between stops,
with no wall or other light-obstructing structure within six feet
of the exterior face of the window.
It is hereby declared that there exist in the City numerous
dwellings which are substandard in one or more important features
of structural safety, sanitary facilities and maintenance, and healthful
occupancy; and that these conditions, together with the inadequate
provision for light and air, insufficient protection against fire,
unsanitary conditions, lack of proper heating, overcrowding of dwellings,
deterioration and disrepair of dwellings and dwelling premises, and
the occupancy of unfit dwellings, endanger the health, safety, morals
and general welfare of the community and give impetus to the continuation,
extension and aggravation of urban blight and decay. It is further
declared that the establishment and enforcement of minimum housing
standards and the rehabilitation of housing are essential to the public
health, safety and general welfare.
The purpose of this article shall be to protect the public health,
safety and welfare by establishing minimum standards governing the
condition and maintenance of all dwellings and dwelling premises;
establishing minimum standards governing utilities and facilities
and other physical things and conditions essential to make dwellings
safe, sanitary and fit for human habitation; fixing certain responsibilities
and duties of owners, operators and occupants of dwellings and dwelling
premises; fixing the conditions whereby certain dwellings may be declared
unfit for occupancy and condemned for human habitation; and fixing
penalties for violations of the provisions of this article.
