The following standards are hereby established as the minimum requirements necessary to render a dwelling unit or residence building fit for human occupancy.
Every living room in every dwelling unit shall have one or more windows opening directly upon a street or other open public space or upon a court or open space located upon the same lot or plot as the building. The tops of windows in each room shall have an area between stop beads of at least 1/10 of the floor area of the room, and at least 50% of the required window area shall be available as clear ventilating area. In addition, all windows shall contain an approved device which will permit a window to remain open at various positions.
A. 
Each building containing one or more dwelling units shall have a minimum of a private toilet and lavatory basin and bathing facilities, consisting of either a shower or tub connected for use by running water, for each dwelling unit. Such toilet and lavatory basin and bathing facilities may be contained in the same room but said room may not be used for any other purpose. The room in which such toilet and lavatory basin and bathing facilities are contained shall have proper ventilation in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the Building Code and/or the Plumbing Code of the Village.
B. 
The finished floor and cove base in the bathing and toilet areas shall consist of an impervious material.
Each dwelling unit shall have facilities for adequate running water and hot water in the bathroom and kitchen or room furnished with kitchen equipment. Each room in such dwelling unit shall have adequate electric fixtures therein so as to afford adequate lighting facilities in accordance with the Village of Freeport Electrical Code.
A. 
No dwelling unit shall be occupied by more persons than twice the number of living rooms in the dwelling unit less one except that two persons may occupy a dwelling unit containing one room. No living or sleeping room shall be so overcrowded that there shall be afforded less than 600 cubic feet of air for each occupant and 300 cubic feet of air for each additional occupant of such room. No room in any dwelling unit shall have sleeping accommodations for more persons than such rooms can accommodate without overcrowding such rooms in violation of this section.
B. 
The minimum ceiling height in any living or sleeping room or habitable room shall be seven feet six inches for a minimum of 40% of the floor.
C. 
No kitchen or bathroom shall be considered a sleeping room in addition to its normal use.
[Amended 12-22-1980 by L.L. No. 13-1980]
A. 
Every dwelling unit and rooming house shall have heating facilities which shall be properly installed and maintained in good working order and shall safely and adequately heat all habitable rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms and water closet compartments. The use of unvented flame space heaters and space heaters without back-draft diverters and automatic controls is prohibited.
B. 
A person who shall have contracted or undertaken, or who is required by law, to furnish heat to any dwelling unit or rooming house shall furnish heat to all habitable rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms and water closet compartments so as to maintain therein a temperature of not less than 70° F. during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and not less than 65° F. during the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. at a distance of 18 inches above floor level and three feet from an outside wall. Such temperatures shall be maintained during the heating season of October 1 through the following May 31.
C. 
Where fuel rationing is imposed, or an energy crisis or an emergency exists, the Superintendent of Buildings is authorized to grant a general variance or exemption from the provisions of this section and the chapter and to take such action as he deems necessary or appropriate under the circumstances in the interest of public health, for the period of the fuel rationing, energy crisis or emergency.
D. 
Noncompliance.
(1) 
When there are repeated instances during a heating season of noncompliance with the provisions of Subsection B of this section in a multiple dwelling, the Superintendent may order and direct that a prompt inspection of the heating system be made by a qualified heating engineer at the expense of the owner or operator, or both. A copy of the inspection report with the recommendations of the engineer shall be filed with the Department of Buildings not later than 10 days following the date of the Superintendent's order.
(2) 
The Superintendent of Buildings shall take such action and make such order as he shall deem necessary or desirable to implement the report and recommendations of the engineer. Nothing contained in this Subsection D shall limit or abridge in any way any duties or powers of the Superintendent imposed upon him or given to him by law, or operate in any respect as a waiver of the responsibility of the owner or operator, or both, to comply with the provisions of this section.
E. 
Portable heating equipment. Portable heating equipment employing a flame and heating equipment using gasoline or kerosene do not meet the standards of this chapter and are prohibited.
F. 
Hot water. Every lavatory sink, bathroom shower and/or tub and kitchen sink shall be capable of providing water at the tap with a minimum temperature of 120° F.
Any building wherein conditions exist which fail to conform to the foregoing standards is hereby declared to be substandard and the use thereof for human occupancy declared unlawful.
Any buildings which shall have any or all of the following defects shall also be deemed and are hereby declared substandard buildings and shall not be used for human occupancy:
A. 
Cellar or basement units. Any cellar or basement unit or any living room in which 2/3 or more is below the mean grade level thereto, provided that if such cellar or basement dwelling unit shall be vacated and shall cease to be used for dwelling purposes, then and in that event such building shall cease to be a substandard building because of the existence therein of such dwelling units. Mean grade level shall be determined by averaged ground level within the distance of the first 10 feet from the outside wall of such cellar or basement.
B. 
Dilapidated and unfit buildings. Those which have become or are so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe and unsanitary that they are unfit for human habitation or are likely to cause sickness or disease so as to work injury to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of those who live or may live therein.
C. 
Inadequate light, air and sanitation. Those having light, air and sanitation facilities which are inadequate to protect the health, morals, safety or general welfare of human beings who do or may live therein.
D. 
Unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous buildings. Those which, because of their condition, are unsafe, unsanitary or dangerous to the health, morals, safety or general welfare of the people of the Village.
A. 
Painting. Exterior wood surfaces of buildings and structures that are not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be periodically treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative.
B. 
Screening. From May 1 to October 1, entrances to residential buildings shall be provided with self-closing-type devices or screens and windows, and other openings used for ventilation shall be appropriately screened.
[Amended 3-26-1984 by L.L. No. 2-1984]
C. 
Infestation. Grounds, buildings and structures shall be maintained free of insect, vermin and rodent harborage and infestation. Methods used for exterminating insects, vermin and rodents shall conform with generally accepted practice. Where the potential for rodent or vermin infestation exists, windows and other openings in basements and cellars shall be appropriately screened with wire mesh or other suitable materials.
D. 
Grounds. To facilitate proper drainage, dust control and sidewalk maintenance, all front yards, side yards, rear yards and all other portions of uncovered soil shall have a ground cover of lawn grass, plant life or other living ground cover similar in nature. Said cover shall be regularly maintained and, where necessary, seeded, cut, trimmed and irrigated.
[Added 2-27-1978 by L.L. No. 5-1978]