These regulations shall be known as the International
Property Maintenance Code of [NAME OF JURISDICTION], hereinafter
referred to as "this code."
The provisions of this code shall apply to all existing residential
and nonresidential structures and all existing premises and constitute minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, protection from the elements, a reasonable
level of safety from fire and other hazards, and for a reasonable
level of sanitary maintenance; the responsibility of owners, an owner's authorized agent, operators and occupants; the occupancy of existing structures
and premises, and for administration, enforcement
and penalties.
This code shall be construed to secure its express intent, which
is to ensure public health, safety and welfare insofar as they are
affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance
of structures and premises. Existing structures and premises that do not comply with these provisions shall
be altered or repaired to provide a minimum level of health and safety
as required herein.
If a section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
code is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional, such decision
shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code.
Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and
a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall govern. Where
differences occur between provisions of this code and the referenced
standards, the provisions of this code shall apply. Where, in a specific
case, different sections of this code specify different requirements,
the most restrictive shall govern.
Equipment, systems, devices and safeguards required by this
code or a previous regulation or code under which the structure or premises was constructed, altered or repaired shall be maintained
in good working order. An owner, owner's authorized
agent, operator or occupant shall
not cause any service, facility, equipment or utility that is required
under this section to be removed from, shut off from or discontinued
for any occupied dwelling, except for such temporary interruption
as necessary while repairs or alterations are in progress. The requirements
of this code are not intended to provide the basis for removal or
abrogation of fire protection and safety systems and devices in existing
structures. Except as otherwise specified herein, the owner or the owner's authorized agent shall be responsible
for the maintenance of buildings, structures and premises.
Repairs, additions or alterations to a structure, or changes
of occupancy, shall be done in accordance with the
procedures and provisions of the International Building Code,
International Existing Building Code, International Energy Conservation
Code, International Fire Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International
Mechanical Code, International Residential Code, International Plumbing
Code and NFPA 70. Nothing in this code shall be construed
to cancel, modify or set aside any provision of the International
Zoning Code.
The provisions in this code shall not be construed to abolish
or impair existing remedies of the jurisdiction or its officers or
agencies relating to the removal or demolition of any structure that
is dangerous, unsafe and insanitary.
Repairs, maintenance work, alterations or installations that
are caused directly or indirectly by the enforcement of this code
shall be executed and installed in a workmanlike manner
and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
The provisions of this code shall not be mandatory for existing
buildings or structures designated as historic buildings where such
buildings or structures are judged by the code official to be safe and in the public interest of health, safety and welfare.
The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be those that are listed in Chapter 8 and considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference and as further regulated in Sections 102.7.1 and 102.7.2.
Exception: Where enforcement of a code provision
would violate the conditions of the listing of the equipment or appliance,
the conditions of the listing shall apply.
102.7.1
Conflicts. Where conflicts occur between provisions
of this code and the referenced standards, the provisions of this
code shall apply.
102.7.2
Provisions in referenced codes and standards. Where
the extent of the reference to a referenced code or standard includes
subject matter that is within the scope of this code, the provisions
of this code, as applicable, shall take precedence over the provisions
in the referenced code or standard.
Requirements necessary for the strength, stability or proper
operation of an existing fixture, structure or equipment, or for the
public safety, health and general welfare, not specifically covered
by this code, shall be determined by the code official.
References to chapter or section numbers, or to provisions not
specifically identified by number, shall be construed to refer to
such chapter, section or provision of this code.
The provisions of this code shall not be deemed to nullify any
provisions of local, state or federal law.
