City of Ithaca, NY Article III Structural Requirements

§ 210-15 General requirements.

A. Buildings and parts thereof shall be maintained so as to be capable of sustaining safely their own weight and the loads to which they may be subject.

B. Buildings shall be maintained so that loads are transmitted to the soil without undue differential settlement, unsafe deformation or movement of the building or of any structural part.

C. Buildings shall be maintained so that protection is provided for all structural members which may become structurally unsound due to deterioration caused by action of freezing and thawing, dampness, corrosion, wetting and drying, termites and other destructive insects and other causes.

D. Buildings built in soil which is water-bearing at any season of the year shall be maintained so that ground- and surface water will not penetrate into habitable spaces and that water penetrating basements and cellars shall be controlled with appropriate mechanical or other means provided to remove such water promptly.

§ 210-16 Exterior protection.

A. Foundation walls shall be maintained so as to be structurally sound and to prevent entrance of moisture, termites and vermin. Such protection shall consist of shoring, where necessary, subsoil drains at footings, grouting of masonry cracks, waterproofing of walls and joists and other suitable means.

B. Exterior walls and wall components shall be maintained so as to prevent deterioration to an extent which is hazardous to occupants or neighboring properties due to the elements and destructive insects. Such maintenance shall consist of painting, installation or repair of walls, copings and flashings, waterproofing of joints, waterproof coatings, installation or repair of termite shields, poison treatment of soil or other suitable means.

C. Roofing shall be maintained in watertight condition so as to prevent leakage into the building. Such maintenance shall consist of repairs of roofing, flashings, waterproof coatings or other suitable means.

§ 210-17 Interior protection.

A. Crawl spaces shall be maintained free of moisture, and the flow of air from such spaces into walls above shall be effectively barred so as to prevent deterioration of structural members. Such provisions shall consist of maintenance of the openings in foundation walls to provide adequate circulation of air in the crawl space; covering the ground in the crawl space with a moisture barrier; installation of drains outside the structure, if the crawl space is below surrounding grade; blocking openings in stud walls to prevent flow of air and moisture into walls; frequent destruction of termite tubes from the soil to wood floor members above; poison treatment of soil; and other suitable means.

B. Structural members shall be maintained so as to be structurally sound. Supporting structural members shall be considered to be structurally sound if such members are capable of bearing imposed loads safely and if there is no evidence of deterioration. Such protection shall consist of shoring, reinforcement or repair, where necessary, frequent destruction of termite tubes or other appropriate means.

C. Chimneys and flues shall be maintained so as to be structurally sound and free from defects to prevent leakage of gases into the structure. Such maintenance shall consist of clearing flue stoppages, sealing open joints, repairing masonry, where necessary, and other suitable means.

D. Ceilings, walls and floors shall be maintained so that parts which become loose or defective do not constitute a hazard to occupants. Such maintenance shall consist of removing and replacing loose or defective sections.

E. Toilet room and bathroom floors shall be maintained so as to prevent leakage of water through the floor under normal conditions of use and floor washing and resultant deterioration or defects in structural members and ceilings below. Maintenance shall consist of repairs which effectively provide the moisture- and waterproof qualities required for the particular floor.