No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or
permit to be occupied by another any dwelling or dwelling unit which
does not comply with the requirements of this article.
Every foundation shall adequately support the
dwelling structure at all points and shall be free of holes, wide
cracks and buckling. Every floor, exterior wall and roof shall be
free of holes, wide cracks and loose, warped, protruding or rotting
boards or any other condition which might admit moisture or rodents
or which might constitute a hazard to health or safety. All exposed
surfaces which have been adversely affected by exposure or other cause
shall be repaired and coated, treated or sealed so as to protect them
from serious deterioration. Every interior wall and ceiling shall
be free of holes and wide cracks, loose plaster, defective materials
or serious damage. Interior walls and all protective materials thereon
shall be properly maintained and cleaned.
Every window, exterior door and bulkhead shall
be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof and shall be
kept in sound working condition and good repair.
Every inside and outside stairway, every porch
and every appurtenance thereto shall be constructed and maintained
in safe condition and good repair.
Every supplied facility, piece of equipment
or utility which is required under the provisions of this chapter
shall be designed, constructed and installed according to law so that
it will function safely and effectively, and shall be maintained in
a safe and sanitary working condition.
Every plumbing fixture and water supply and
sewer line shall be properly installed according to law and maintained
in safe and sanitary working condition, free from defects, leaks and
obstructions.
Every dwelling, dwelling unit and all dwelling
premises shall be free of infestation.
All dwelling premises and accessory structures
shall be maintained in good repair and in a sanitary condition.
[Added 10-25-1973 by Ch. No. 1424]
A.
Lead paint or potentially hazardous material on the
interior surfaces of any dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit
or facility is prohibited. Such interior surfaces include but are
not limited to window sills, window frames, doors, door frames, walls,
ceilings, chair-rails and spindles or other appurtenances.
[Amended 7-25-1996 by Ch. No. 2420]
B.
In each instance where the interior surfaces exhibit
a condition of loose, flaking, chipping or falling paint, and there
is reason to believe that the presence of lead paint or toxic material
exists as a potential hazard, the enforcing officer shall take samples
in a manner prescribed by the appropriate authority and submit said
samples for analysis to the appropriate authority.
[Added 10-25-1973 by Ch. No. 1424]
A.
All openings in the exterior walls, foundations, basements,
ground or first floors and roof which have a half-inch diameter or
more opening shall be ratproofed in an approved manner if they are
within 48 inches of the existing exterior ground level immediately
below such openings, or if they may be reached by rats from the ground
by climbing unguarded pipes, wires, cornices, stairs, roofs and other
items such as trees or vines or by burrowing. Skirting, lattice or
other ratproofed enclosures displaying evidence of rat harborage under
a porch or any portions of a building shall be ratproofed at all locations
where evidence of burrowing or gnawing was found.
B.
In the event that occupancy usages would result in
stacking or piling materials, the materials shall be so arranged as
to prohibit the creation of a harborage area. This can be accomplished
by orderly stacking and elevating so that there will be a twelve-inch
opening between the material and the ground level. No stacking or
piling of material shall take place against the exterior walls of
the structure.
C.
Basement floors and/or other floors and areas in contact
with the soil and located at a maximum depth of four feet or less
from the grade line shall be paved with concrete or other yet impervious
material.
[Added 10-25-1973 by Ch. No. 1424]
All fences provided by the owner of agent on
the premises and/or all fences erected or caused to be erected by
an occupant shall be constructed of manufactured metal fencing material,
wood, masonry or other inert material. Such fences shall be maintained
in good condition. Wood materials shall be protected against decay
by use of paint or other preservative. The permissible height and
other characteristics of all fences shall conform to the appropriate
statutes, ordinances and regulations of this state, and the corporate
unit. Wherever any egress from the dwelling opens into the fenced
area, there shall be a means of egress from the premises to any public
way adjacent thereto.
