As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
APARTMENT OR RENTAL UNIT
An apartment or rental unit consists of one or more rooms
accessible by one or more private entrances. Each apartment or rental
unit shall contain a private bathroom complete with flush water closet,
lavatory and tub or shower with hot and cold running water, all in
good working order. A stove and refrigerator supplied by either the
landlord or tenant and a sink shall be present.
BOARDINGHOUSE
A rooming house where a meal or meals are provided to tenants.
The same regulations applying to a rooming house shall apply to a
boardinghouse.
ROOMING HOUSE
Any dwelling or that part of any dwelling containing one
or more rooming units in which space is occupied by two or more persons
who are not members of a single family.
ROOMING UNIT
Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit
used or intended to be used for living and sleeping but not for cooking
or eating purposes.
This chapter governs the use of rooming houses, rooming units,
and boardinghouses, and does not govern apartments or rental units
as defined above.
No person shall operate a rooming house unless he holds a rooming
house license issued by the Town of Winchester Director of Health
or his agent. Said license shall be issued only after an inspection
of the premises by said Director of Health or his agent and the Fire
Marshal. The inspection shall confirm compliance with the requirements
of room size, lighting, ventilation, window size and general sanitation
requirements of the State Health Department and local ordinances.
Each rooming house or unit shall be inspected at least once
a year by the Director of Health or his agent and the Fire Marshal,
and said persons may revoke the license immediately if conditions
so warrant.
A license cannot be transferred without first notifying the
Director of Health by registered mail.
A rooming house license must be renewed on a yearly basis by
making application at least two weeks prior to the expiration date.
The Director of Health or his agent and the Fire Marshal shall inspect
the premises before the license is renewed.
Each rooming house or rooming unit shall conform to the following:
A. At least one flush water closet, lavatory basin and tub or shower,
all in good working order with hot and cold running water, shall be
available for each six persons or part thereof residing in a rooming
house, including the family of the owner or operator. Such facility
shall not be located in the basement or cellar and shall not be reached
by passing through any other room.
B. Linen supplied by the owner or operator shall be changed every week.
C. The door of each sleeping room shall be equipped with an operating
lock. No padlocks will be permitted.
D. Rooming units must contain at least 80 square feet of floor area,
excluding closet space, for the first occupant and not less than 60
additional square feet for each additional occupant of the same room,
excluding closet space.
E. The window area of each rooming unit shall not be less than 10% of
the floor area except where adequate air-conditioning and lighting
are provided.
F. Access and egress to each unit shall not be through another unit.
G. No basement or cellar area shall be used or converted to rooming
units unless provision is made for at least two means of egress remote
from each other, such as a hatchway door and a window of sufficient
size for an adult to use as an escape route if necessary, in addition
to any stairway from the cellar to the first floor.
The fee for a rooming house license shall be set from time to
time by the Board of Selectmen.
If any section of this chapter is found to be unconstitutional,
the remaining portions of the chapter shall remain in force.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter,
or any order of the Director of Health in the enforcement of this
chapter, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $100. Each day's
neglect or refusal to comply with an order of the Director of Health
shall constitute a separate offense.