The owner of each multifamily dwelling complex within the city
which shall be used for the purpose of human habitation or residence
shall comply with the provisions of this article.
(Ordinance 1975, § I, 11-13-12)
Each dwelling unit shall contain at least 150 square feet of
habitable floor area for the first occupant and at least 100 square
feet of additional habitable floor area for each additional occupant.
(Ordinance 1975, § I, 11-13-12)
In each dwelling unit of two or more rooms, each room occupied
for sleeping purposes shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor
area for one occupant and shall contain an additional 50 square feet
of floor area for each additional occupant of the sleeping room.
(Ordinance 1975, § I, 11-13-12)
Maximum density for each dwelling unit (occupant load) shall
be as follows:
(1) One
bedroom or efficiency unit, no more than three occupants per unit.
(2) Two
bedrooms, no more than five occupants per unit.
(3) Three
bedrooms, no more than seven occupants per unit.
(Ordinance 1975, § I, 11-13-12)
At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room
of a dwelling unit shall have a ceiling height of at least seven feet;
and the floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height
is less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the floor
area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose
of determining the maximum permissible occupancy thereof.
(Ordinance 1975, § I, 11-13-12)
The owner, lessor or property manager of a complex shall be
primarily responsible for the maintenance, structural soundness and
operative condition of the entire complex properties and all installed
systems, including but not limited to plumbing, electrical, heating,
air conditioning systems and parking areas thereof, and shall be responsible
for the following:
(3) Provide
in all dwelling units a kitchen sink and a lavatory basin. Such kitchen
sink and lavatory shall be connected to the municipal water and sewer
systems.
(4) Provide
in all dwelling units a flush water toilet and a bathtub or shower
connected to the municipal water and sewer systems.
(5) Every
kitchen sink, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower in each dwelling
unit required by the provisions of this article shall be connected
and functioning with both hot and cold water lines. The owner shall
provide and maintain connected and functioning water-heating equipment
and facilities for every dwelling unit which shall be connected with
water lines with a design capability of heating water to a temperature
of 120 degrees Fahrenheit as to permit an adequate supply of hot water
to be drawn at every required kitchen sink, lavatory basin, and bathtub
or shower at a temperature of not less than 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Such water-heating facilities shall be capable of meeting the requirements
of this section regardless of whether or not the heating facilities
of the apartment or dwelling unit are in operation.
(6) Air
conditioning shall function to at least 15 degrees differential between
the inside and outside temperature. If the owner pays the electrical
bill, the owner shall provide the required electricity.
(7) Every
dwelling unit or apartment with heating facilities shall be provided
with a design capability of safely and adequately heating all habitable
rooms to a temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit at a distance
of three feet above floor level, and the facilities shall be operable
when necessary to maintain the temperature, but gas jets installed
prior to 1978 may be provided in lieu of other heating facilities.
Where the owner or property manager pays the fuel bills or utilities
for the heating equipment, the owner or property manager shall be
responsible to provide heat to each dwelling unit. Portable heating
equipment, including but not limited to, kerosene heaters, portable
propane heaters or portable electric heaters may not be used to meet
the requirements of this section other than for temporary emergency
uses not to exceed 15 days when the devices are used in accordance
with the manufacturer’s instructions.
(8) Ensure
that every bedroom in a dwelling unit shall have at least one window
or opening facing directly to the outdoors capable of being opened
to the maximum size allowed by the design of the window fixture.
(9) Repair
all cracked or broken out (partial or complete) windows.
(10) All
windows must meet the requirements of the current building code, except
those which conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their
construction and which have been adequately maintained.
(11) Every
opening in any dwelling unit which is used for ventilation purposes
from a dwelling unit directly to or from outdoor space shall be equipped
with insect-proof screening, which shall be provided by the owner
and shall be installed and maintained in a manner affording complete
protection against entry into the dwelling unit of flies, mosquitoes
and other insects. However, it shall be the responsibility of the
occupant to replace windows or screens broken by the occupant.
(12) Repair
or replace all window screens on openable window(s).
(13) Paint,
waterproof and repair to prevent deterioration due to the elements,
which shall include but not be limited to: loose siding, siding with
holes, excessive cracks or rotted boards which permit air or water
to penetrate rooms or the void spaces in walls or other structural
components, loose roof covering, holes or leaks in roof which cause
damage to the Structure or rooms, rotting, and sagging or deteriorating
supports for steps, stairs and porches.
(14) Exterminate
insects, rodents or other pests in all occupied and unoccupied units
of duplex, triplex or other multiple-family dwellings, a minimum of
once a year by a state-licensed exterminator, and single-family dwellings
as needed by the owner or by a state licensed exterminator. If the
occupant fails to maintain the dwelling unit free from rodents, insects
and vermin, such shall be the ultimate responsibility of owner.
(15) Provide
central garbage and refuse disposal where there are more than four
dwelling units on the premises
(16) Provide
and maintain railings for stairs, steps, balconies, porches, and elsewhere
as specified in the building code in force at the time of construction.
Replacement of any required railings shall be in compliance with the
current edition of the building code. Buildings in existence at the
time of adoption of this article may have their existing use continued
if such use was legal at the time of the adoption of this article,
provided such continued use is not dangerous to life.
(17) Repair
holes, cracks, and other defects in stairs, porches, steps and balconies
reasonably capable of causing injury to a person.
(18) Maintain
floors, walls, ceilings and all supporting structural members in a
sound condition, capable of bearing imposed loads safely, in conformity
with the current building code.
(19) Repair
or replace chimney flue and vent attachments that do not function
properly.
(20) Repair
holes, breaks, substantial cracks, and loose surface materials that
are health or safety hazards in or on floors, walls, ceilings or entry
ways, breezeways, sidewalks and similar areas used for foot traffic.
(21) Provide
and maintain a moisture-resistant finish or material for the flooring
or sub-flooring of each bathroom, shower room, and toilet room.
(22) Provide
screened cross-ventilation openings of not less than one and one half
square feet for each 25 lineal feet of wall in each basement, cellar,
and crawl space.
(23) Eliminate
a hole, excavation, sharp protrusion, and other object or condition
that exists on the land and is reasonably capable of causing injury
to a person.
(24) Securely
cover or close a well, cesspool, or cistern.
(25) Provide
drainage to prevent standing and stagnant water on the premises. Ponding
of water shall not exceed a 24-hour period under normal rainfall periods.
(26) Remove
dead trees and tree limbs that are reasonably capable of causing injury
to a person.
(27) Connect
plumbing fixtures and heating equipment that the owner supplies in
accordance with the applicable codes.
(28) Provide
and maintain in operating condition supply lines for electrical service
to each dwelling unit intended for human occupancy.
(29) Provide
and maintain in operating condition electrical circuits and outlets
in compliance with the electrical code adopted by the city.
(30) Connect
to a chimney or flue each heating and cooking device that burns solid
fuel or burns a fuel that must be vented to the outside.
(31) Maintain
the interior of a vacant structure or vacant portion of a structure
free from rubbish, garbage, storage and stored items. Secure all vacant
or unoccupied dwelling units from unauthorized entry and vandalism.
(32) Install
and maintain the parking lot, fire lane and required paved areas,
including legible parking stripes and fire lanes, in accordance with
city ordinances.
(33) Maintain
all required fire detection and extinguishing appliances including
but not limited to: smoke detectors, fire alarm systems, fire hydrants
and portable fire extinguishers. All dwelling units must be equipped
with operable smoke detectors of an approved type. For purposes of
this section, the fire marshal and/or building official will have
final determination on what items are required based upon the codes
in effect at the time the building was built and subsequent applicable
changes.
(34) Maintain
all swimming pools in a sanitary condition and remove all water and
debris from a swimming pool not so maintained or in accordance with
other City ordinances.
(35) Provide
and maintain all gas service lines to each dwelling unit that is heated
by natural gas or has water heating devices or cook stove fueled by
natural gas. If the owner pays the gas bill, the owner shall provide
necessary gas service.
(36) Remove
inoperable, unsightly, junked, unregistered and or abandoned vehicle(s)
from the property.
(37) Install
and maintain premises identification numbers which shall be eight
inches high with a width of one-inch minimum for main buildings and
four inches high with a width of one-half inch minimum and for all
unit doors a minimum of two inches high.
(38) Provide,
in all dwelling units, safe and unobstructed means of egress leading
to safe and open space at ground level. When an unsafe condition exists
through lack of or improper location of exits, additional exits may
be required to be installed. The use of burglar bars or other security
devices that prevent an immediate exit from the interior of the dwelling
unit is prohibited.
(Ordinance 1975, § I, 11-13-12)
The landlord shall provide to each tenant an emergency telephone
number or other means of communications which shall be answered 24
hours each day in order that the tenant may report needed repairs
or emergencies or seek information or answers relative to landlord-tenant
matters which cannot wait until regular business hours.
(Ordinance 1975, § I, 11-13-12)
A tenant in a complex shall be responsible for the following:
(1) Shall
maintain those portions of the interior of a dwelling unit structure
under his control free from rubbish, garbage, and other conditions
that would encourage infestation of insects, rodents, and vermin,
and unsanitary conditions;
(2) Shall
keep occupied area and all plumbing equipment and facilities provided
in a clean, sanitary condition at all times;
(3) Shall
connect plumbing fixtures and heating equipment that the occupant
supplies in accordance with the applicable city codes;
(4) Shall
not alter a dwelling unit or its facilities so as to create a nonconformity
with division 3 of this article;
(5) Must
adhere to reasonable occupancy standards;
(6) Must
adhere to all applicable garbage and trash disposal standards; and
(7) Shall
not tamper with any required fire protection apparatus.
(Ordinance 1975, § I, 11-13-12)