No owner, operator or other person shall occupy or let to another person any dwelling, rooming house, dwelling unit or rooming unit which does not comply with the following minimum standards for light, ventilation and heating; and no dwelling, rooming house, dwelling unit or rooming unit or any premises containing such areas shall fail to comply with the following minimum standards for light, ventilation and heating.
[Amended 4-6-1977 by Ord. No. 12244; 5-18-1995 by Ord. No. 13332; 8-24-2009 by Ord. No. 14737]
Every habitable room, bathroom or water closet compartment shall have at least one window or skylight facing outdoors, provided that, if connected to an area or room used seasonally (i.e., porch), then adequate daylight must be possible through this interconnection. The minimum total window or skylight area measured between stops for every habitable room shall be at least 8% of the floor area of such rooms; the minimum total window or skylight area measured between stops for every bathroom or water closet compartment shall be at least 8% of the floor area of such rooms, but if 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 window shall not be included as contributing to the total required window area. All windows and skylights shall be enclosed with glass or other approved materials. Other configurations in compliance with the Building Code of the City of Allentown shall be accepted as in compliance with this section. In allowable basement or cellar occupancies, the required minimum window area of every habitable room shall be entirely above the grade of the ground adjoining such window area, not including stairwells or accessways. Ventilation requirements and ceiling height requirements found elsewhere in this code shall be complied with.
[Amended 4-6-1977 by Ord. No. 12244; 5-18-1995 by Ord. No. 13332; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Every habitable room, bathroom and water closet compartment shall have at least one window, door or skylight facing directly to the outdoors, equipped with suitable hardware, so that if connected to a room or area used seasonally, then adequate ventilation must be possible through this interconnection. The total openable area of the window, door or skylight area in every habitable room, bathroom and water closet compartment shall be equal to at least 45% of the minimum window area size or minimum skylight type window size as required in § 455-33 of the Codified Ordinances except where there is supplied some other device, gravity duct or mechanical ventilation as required by the Uniform Construction Code.
[Amended 4-6-1977 by Ord. No. 12244; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Every bathroom, kitchen and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements of §§ 455-33 and 455-34, except that no window or skylight shall be required in such rooms if supplied with some other device, gravity duct or mechanical ventilation, supplying adequate ventilation as required by the Uniform Construction Code.
Every dwelling shall be supplied with electricity. Within each dwelling:
A. 
Every habitable room shall contain two separate and remote duplex wall electric convenience outlets, and one supplied ceiling or wall electric fixture, or one additional switch-controlled outlet. Additional outlets shall be required to power electrical appliances serviced by temporary wiring. Any outlet within six feet of water source shall be GFIC protected.
[Amended 8-24-2009 by Ord. No. 14737]
B. 
Every water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, laundry area shall contain at least one ceiling or wall electrical fixture. Each bathroom, laundry room, laundry area shall contain one convenience outlet. Any outlet within six feet of water source shall be GFIC protected.
[Amended 8-24-2009 by Ord. No. 14737]
C. 
Every outlet and fixture shall be installed in an approved manner on circuits properly equipped with "S" type fuses or circuit breakers, and maintained in good and safe working condition. All floor outlets shall be removed.
D. 
No obvious shock hazard shall exist.
E. 
No temporary wiring shall be used, except extension cords which run directly from portable electrical equipment to convenience outlets, and which do not lie underneath floor covering materials or extend through doorways, transoms or other similar apertures through structural elements. Extension cords shall not exceed 12 feet in length.
F. 
Adequate lighting.
(1) 
Every public hallway and stairway in every multiple dwelling and rooming house shall be adequately lighted at all times by natural and/or electric light, so as to provide, in all parts thereof, at least three footcandles of light at the tread or floor level.
(2) 
Every public hallway and stairway in a structure containing two units shall be adequately lighted at all times by natural or electric light, so as to provide, in all parts thereof, at least three footcandles of light at the tread or floor level; except, however, that if conveniently located, light switches are supplied to turn on lights when required full-time lighting shall not be required.
G. 
In existing dwellings, electrical wiring and fixtures shall conform to the requirements of the applicable codes of the City.
[Amended 5-4-1983 by Ord. No. 12554; 8-24-2009 by Ord. No. 14737; 10-23-2012 by Ord. No. 15022]
A. 
Every dwelling shall have heating facilities which are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closets compartments within its walls to a temperature of at least 68° F. at a location 36 inches above floor level in center of room, two feet from the exterior wall.
B. 
Oil-fired units shall be serviced every year by a certified service technician.
C. 
Gas-fired units shall be serviced every two years by a certified service technician.
[Amended 11-7-1984 by Ord. No. 12630]
All fuel-burning heating facilities shall be of an approved type and shall be permanently attached to approved flues and installed in accordance with the applicable codes of the City. Such facilities may not be installed in a bathroom or bedroom.
[Amended 10-21-1987 by Ord. No. 12801; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
In new installations, all central heating, space heating or auxiliary heating facilities shall conform and be installed in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.
[Amended 5-4-1983 by Ord. No. 12554]
Liquid or gas type portable heating appliances shall be prohibited except in single-family residential homes. Where these appliances are permitted, single-family residential homes, all flammable or combustible liquid fuel shall be stored in compliance with the standards set by the Bureau of Fire Prevention of the City of Allentown.