This chapter shall be known as the "Housing
Code of the Village of Thomaston" and may be referred to as the "Housing
Code."
The purpose of this chapter is to provide basic
and uniform standards, in terms of performance objectives implemented
by specific requirements, governing the condition, occupancy and maintenance
of residential premises and establishing reasonable safeguards for
the safety, health and welfare of the occupants and users thereof.
This chapter shall apply to residential premises
as follows:
A.Â
Lots, plots or parcels of land on which residential
buildings, buildings of mixed occupancy or accessory structures are
located.
B.Â
Residential buildings, including one- and two-family
dwellings and multiple dwellings.
[Amended 9-28-1993 by L.L. No. 23-1993]
C.Â
Residential occupancies in buildings of mixed occupancy.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A structure, the use of which is incidental to that of the
residential building and which is located on the same premises.
A use, occupancy or tenancy customarily incidental to the
principal use or occupancy of a residential building. Such "accessory
uses" may include, among others, the following:
Offices for the building management.
Dining rooms, banquet rooms, public kitchens
and ballrooms.
Recreation and playrooms.
Laundries for the use of tenants and occupants
and in connection with the management and operation of a residential
building.
Maintenance and workshops, and storage rooms
for linen, bedding, furniture, supplies and tenants' equipment and
effects.
Rooms or space for the incidental sale or display
of merchandise to occupants and tenants, such as newspaper, candy
and cigar stands.
Garages within a residential building or on
the premises thereof, used primarily for the storage of passenger-type
motor vehicles.
A dwelling unit within a multiple dwelling.
Approved by the administrative officer under the regulations
of this chapter or approved by an authority designated by law or this
chapter.
That space of a building that is partly below grade which
has more than half its height, measured from floor to ceiling, above
the average established curb level or finished grade of the ground
adjoining the building.
Enclosed space containing one or more bathtubs or showers,
or both, and which may also contain water closets, lavatories or fixtures
serving similar purposes. See "toilet rooms."
A structure wholly or partially enclosed within exterior
walls, or within exterior or party walls, and a roof, affording shelter
to persons, animals or property.
That space of a building that is partly or entirely below
grade, which has more than half of its height, measured from floor
to ceiling, below the average established curb level or finished grade
of the ground adjoining the building.
A building containing not more than one dwelling unit occupied
exclusively for residential purposes.
A building containing not more than two dwelling units occupied
exclusively for residential purposes.
One or more rooms with provision for separate entrance and
living, cooking, sanitary and sleeping facilities arranged for the
use of one family only.
A way of departure from the interior of a building or structure
to the exterior at street or grade, including doorways, passageways,
hallways, corridors, stairways, ramps, fire escapes and all other
elements necessary for egress or escape.
A household constituting a single housekeeping unit occupied
by one or more persons.
A specification, code, rule, guide or procedure in the field
of construction or related thereto, recognized and accepted as authoritative.
The natural surface of the ground, or the surface of the
ground after completion of any change in contour, abutting building
or premises.
Space occupied by one or more persons for living, sleeping,
eating or cooking. Kitchen areas shall not be deemed to be "habitable
space." See "nonhabitable space," "public space" and "exit."
The presence, within or contiguous to a dwelling, dwelling
unit, lodging house, lodging unit or premises, of insects, rodents,
vermin or other pests.
Space, 60 square feet or more in floor area, with a minimum
width of five feet, used for cooking or preparation of food.
Space, less than 60 square feet in floor area, used for cooking
or preparation of food.
A multiple dwelling used primarily for the purpose of furnishing
lodging, with or without meals, for compensation.
A room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit,
used or intended to be used for lodging.
Occupancy of a building in part for residential use and in
part for some other use not accessory thereto.
A building containing three or more dwelling
units.
A building with one or more sleeping rooms,
other than a one- or two-family dwelling, used or occupied by permanent
or transient paying guests or tenants.
A building with sleeping accommodations for
more than five persons used or occupied as a club, dormitory, fraternity
or sorority house or for similar uses.
A building used or occupied as a convalescent,
old-age or nursing home, but not including private or public hospitals
or public institutions.
[Amended 9-28-1993 by L.L. No. 23-1993]
See "multiple dwelling."
A city, town or village.
Papers sold or distributed at stated intervals, usually daily
or weekly, to convey news and advocate opinions, containing advertisements
and other matters of public interest, but excluding all magazines
or other periodicals as well as all other paper products of any nature
whatsoever.
Space used as kitchenettes, pantries, bath, toilet, laundry,
rest, dressing, locker, storage, utility, heater and boiler rooms,
closets and other spaces for service and maintenance of the building,
and those spaces used for access and vertical travel between stories.
See "habitable space," "public space" and "exit."
The water supply system, the drainage system, the vent system,
fixtures and traps, including their respective connections, devices
and appurtenances within the property lines of the premises.
Water which is approved for drinking, culinary and domestic
purposes.
Space within a residential building for public use, such
as lobbies, lounges, reception, ball, meeting, lecture and recreation
rooms, banquet and dining rooms and their kitchens and swimming pools.
Nonputrescible solid waste, excluding ashes, consisting of
combustible waste such as wood, baled paper, excluding newspapers,
and similar materials.
Liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension
or solution and which may include industrial wastes and liquids containing
chemicals.
An assembly of materials, forming a construction framed of
component structural parts for occupancy or use, including buildings.
Enclosed space, containing one or more water closets, which
may also contain one or more lavatories, urinals and other plumbing
fixtures. See "bathroom."
Supply and removal of air to and from a space by natural
or mechanical means.
Ventilation by power-driven devices.
Ventilation by opening to outer air through windows, skylights,
doors, louvers or stacks with or without wind-driven devices.
