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 safe and sanitary maintenance, 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 safe and sanitary maintenance.
[Amended 5-18-1995 by Ord. No. 13332]
Every foundation, exterior wall, retaining wall and exterior roof shall be substantially weathertight, watertight and rodent-proof, shall be kept in sound condition and good repair and shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the load which normal use may cause to be placed thereon.
A. 
Every floor, interior wall and ceiling shall be substantially rodent-proof, shall be kept in sound condition and good repair and shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the load which normal use may cause to be placed thereon.
B. 
Every cellar floor, basement floor and crawl space shall be maintained in a smooth, dry, hazard-free condition so as to prevent conditions conducive to decay or deterioration of the structure.
[Amended 5-4-1983 by Ord. No. 12554]
C. 
Every interior wall and ceiling in a dwelling shall be maintained so as to be free of holes or cracks and loose plaster or other materials the collapse of which might cause injury.
[Amended 5-4-1983 by Ord. No. 12554]
D. 
The surface of every interior wall and ceiling shall be finished with paint, paneling, wallpaper or equivalent material so as to be smooth, clean, tight and easily cleaned.
[Amended 5-4-1983 by Ord. No. 12554]
Every window, exterior door and basement or cellar door and hatchway shall be substantially weathertight, watertight and rodent-proof and shall be kept in sound working condition and good repair. All entrance doors into a dwelling unit or rooming unit shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair and equipped with locks.
[Amended 11-7-1984 by Ord. No. 12630; 10-21-1987 by Ord. No. 12801; 5-18-1995 by Ord. No. 13332]
Every inside and outside stair, porch and any appurtenance thereto shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon, and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Structurally sound handrails shall be provided on any steps containing five risers or more. Porches and/or balconies located more than three feet higher than the adjacent area shall have structurally sound protective guardrails not less than 36 inches high, and, if unenclosed, vertical balusters spaced no more than six inches apart shall be provided regardless of the number of risers.
[Amended 4-6-1977 by Ord. No. 12244]
Every plumbing fixture shall be properly installed and maintained in sanitary working condition, free from defects, leaks and obstructions. When repairs or replacements are necessary, the fixture or fixtures shall be installed in accordance with the Plumbing Code of the City.
The floor in every kitchen, bathroom or toilet room shall be, or be so covered as to be impervious to water and easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
Every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility which is required under this code, and every chimney and smoke pipe, shall be so constructed and installed that it will function safely and effectively and shall be maintained in sound working condition.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Every yard and lot shall be properly graded so as to obtain thorough drainage and prevent the accumulation of stagnant water, and shall be maintained in a sanitary manner and free of weeds, in accordance with the applicable ordinances of the City.
[Amended 6-84-2000 by Ord. No. 13842]
A. 
Every basement or cellar window used or intended to be used for ventilation and every other opening to a basement or cellar which might provide an entry for rodents, shall be supplied with a screen or other device which will effectively prevent their entrance.
B. 
Every basement or cellar entranceway shall be kept clear of trash and rubbish. In such locations that act as a repository for trash or litter and have been cited, warned in writing, on more than one occasion, the public officer may order safeguards that may include installing a permanent hatch door over open cellar steps. However, such installation shall in no way block, stop or impede a required means of egress.
Accessory structures, located on exterior property areas, shall be kept in good repair, free from health, fire and accident hazards and vermin, insect and rodent harborage, or such structures shall be removed from the premises.
[Amended 11-21-1987 by Ord. No. 12801]
All fences shall be maintained in a structurally sound and safe condition, and any materials shall be protected against decay or rust by the use of paint or other preservative. Wherever any egress from the structure opens into the fenced areas, there shall be a means of egress to any public way adjacent thereto.
[Amended 5-4-1983 by Ord. No. 12554]
All sidewalks, driveways and curbs shall be constructed of durable and water-resistant material and shall be maintained in a safe and hazard-free condition, and in a manner which will permit proper drainage and maintained in accord with § 455-108.
A. 
Each exterior wall of a dwelling and accessory structure on the premises and all their structural components subject to decay or corrosion shall be maintained so as to prevent its deterioration due to weather and insects and to preserve its appearance and longevity.
B. 
Without restricting the generality of Subsection A hereof, maintenance includes the application of paint or other preservative restoring or repairing of the wall, coping or flashing, waterproofing of joints of the wall itself, installing or repairing of termite shields or using other suitable means.
[Amended 5-4-1983 by Ord. No. 12554; 10-21-1987 by Ord. No. 12801; 5-18-1995 by Ord. No. 13332; 8-24-2009 by Ord. No. 14737]
Rain water conductors and downspouts shall be provided and maintained in good condition and the drainage shall not be directed into the sanitary sewer system or in a manner that creates a public nuisance.
[Amended 5-4-1983 by Ord. No. 12554; 5-18-1995 by Ord. No. 13332]
Every interior door shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair and provided with the proper hardware.
[Amended 5-4-1983 by Ord. No. 12554; 10-21-1987 by Ord. No. 12801; 5-18-1995 by Ord. No. 13332; 8-24-2009 by Ord. No. 14737]
All parking lots which are now or may become substandard with respect to premises, protection against unsafe maintenance or other conditions which are deemed to constitute a menace to the safety and welfare of the people and lead to the continuation, extension and aggravation of urban blight required to comply with the listed requirement. Adequate protection of the public therefore requires the establishment and enforcement of the following minimum standards:
A. 
Curb cuts. Parking lots shall be arranged to afford ready means of entrance and exit at sidewalk level; and special permits shall be secured for curb cuts from the administrative authorities.
B. 
Protection of adjoining property. A substantial bumper of masonry, steel or heavy timber shall be placed near all interior lot lines to protect structures and property abutting the parking lot. Secured wheel stops may be accepted at the discretion of the Inspector.
C. 
Surface and drainage. Parking lots shall be a hard surface with a dustless, durable, all-weather pavement or other nonabsorbent material to prevent raising of dust and shall be maintained to prevent drainage onto adjoining property or sidewalk.
[Amended 10-21-1987 by Ord. No. 12801]
Mechanical equipment projections into the public right-of-way area shall have a minimum clearance above the sidewalk area of seven feet and shall not project more than 14 inches.
[Amended 8-24-2009 by Ord. No. 14737]
Buildings shall have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. Number shall be four inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm).
[Added 6-19-2019 by Ord. No. 15542]
Window guards shall be required in all windows: (1) if a child 10 years or younger lives in the rental unit, or regularly spends considerable time in the unit; and (2) the tenant requests the landlord to install the window guards. A tenant must make this request in writing. The tenant's written request should be delivered to the landlord through the same means that rental payments are made. In making the written request, the tenant may request the installation on applicable windows within the unit itself and within any applicable windows that are in common areas that the unit has access to. Window guards are not required on windows that serve as fire exits or that are not designed to be opened. This shall apply to buildings which have three or more apartments, in a condominium, cooperative, or mutual housing. Once installed, a tenant shall not take down, change or remove any part of a window guard. Window guards shall meet the requirements of ASTM F2090-ASTM F2006. Window guards cannot be permanently fixed to the building and shall be able to be removed in an emergency for the safety of the building occupants and firefighters. The landlord is responsible to install such guards when requested by the tenant in writing as stated. Procedures for Requesting Variances for Window Guards shall be submitted in writing in accordance with the appeal process of § 455-11 of the Allentown Property Maintenance Code. Request for variances will be entertained only if submitted by the owner or management of the property, or by his representative. Notices of violation of this section will be served in accordance with § 455-9, and penalties in accordance with § 455-19 of the Allentown Property Maintenance Code.