Hereafter when any existing dwelling, building or other structure in the corporate limits of the city becomes vacant, such dwelling, building or other structure shall not be reoccupied until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the city secretary.
(Ordinance 68-5 adopted 7/22/1968; 1989 Code, sec. 3.202)
Each dwelling, building or other structure shall conform to the following standards, which are deemed to be the minimum standards necessary for the health and general welfare of the city:
(1) 
Dwelling units.
(A) 
Each dwelling unit shall have one separate room which shall be provided with a water closet, lavatory and either a bathtub or a shower.
(B) 
Each dwelling unit shall be provided with one (1) sink in some part of the building other than the room with the water closet.
(C) 
Each plumbing fixture, including water closets, bathtubs, showers, sinks, or lavatories, installed in any dwelling unit shall be provided with running water.
(D) 
Each plumbing fixture installed in any dwelling unit shall be provided with adequate drain facilities connected either to the city sanitary sewer where available or to a septic tank of proper design and construction.
(E) 
Each dwelling unit shall be of such construction and in a state of repair that all floors, walls, doors and windows are intact. Floors shall be reasonably level and walls shall be reasonably straight.
(F) 
The city secretary shall not issue a certificate of occupancy until the dwelling unit has been inspected and found to conform with all of the provisions above.
(G) 
No dwelling unit shall be considered as meeting the above provisions when, in the opinion of the city secretary, the building is so dilapidated and unsightly to be considered inadequate housing.
(2) 
Business buildings and other structures.
(A) 
No building shall be occupied by any business serving food or beverages unless there are separate and adequate restroom facilities for men and women. Adequate restrooms are those provided with a water closet and lavatory, each fixture provided with running water and equipped with adequate drain facilities to either the city sanitary sewer or a septic tank.
(B) 
Floors, walls and ceilings shall be in such a state of repair that they shall be considered safe and sanitary.
(C) 
No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any business purpose until the building has been inspected and found to meet the above provisions.
(D) 
No building shall be considered as meeting the above provisions when in the opinion of the city secretary it is so dilapidated or so badly in need of repair that it is not considered adequate for the type of business proposed.
(Ordinance 68-5 adopted 7/22/1968; 1989 Code, sec. 3.203)
It shall be unlawful for any person controlling, renting or managing, either as owner, agent or otherwise, any dwelling, building or other structure, to permit such dwelling or other building or structure to be occupied without first obtaining a certificate of occupancy from the city secretary.
(Ordinance 68-5 adopted 7/22/1968; 1989 Code, sec. 3.204)
Application for a certificate of occupancy shall be made on a form provided for that purpose and obtainable from the city secretary.
(Ordinance 68-5 adopted 7/22/1968; 1989 Code, sec. 3.205)
Any person controlling property, either as owner, agent or otherwise, who has been denied a certificate of occupancy after proper application has been made, shall have the right to appeal to the city council or reconsideration of the request.
(Ordinance 68-5 adopted 7/22/1968; 1989 Code, sec. 3.206)
No person shall occupy any dwelling, building or other structure, either as a dwelling or as a business, until after a certificate of occupancy has been issued.
(Ordinance 68-5 adopted 7/22/1968; 1989 Code, sec. 3.207)
Whoever violates the provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined in an amount in accordance with the general penalty provided in section 1.01.009 of this code, and each day the offense is continued shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ordinance 68-5 adopted 7/22/1968; 1989 Code, sec. 3.208; Ordinance adopting 2024 Code)