§ 90.53 MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR CONTROL OF INSECTS, RODENTS, AND INFESTATIONS.

   (A)   Screens. In every dwelling unit, for protection against mosquitoes, flies, and other insects, every door opening directly from a dwelling unit to outdoor space shall have supplied and installed screens and a self-closing device; and every window or other device with openings to outdoor space, used or intended to be used for ventilation, shall be likewise supplied with screens installed.

   (B)   Rodent control. Every basement or cellar window used or intended to be used for ventilation and every other opening to a basement which might provide an entry for rodents, shall be supplied with screens installed or any other approved device as will effectively prevent their entrance.

   (C)   Infestation. Every occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents, or other pests therein or on the premises; and every occupant of a dwelling unit in a dwelling containing more than one dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination whenever his dwelling unit is the only one infested. Whenever infestation is caused by failure of the owner to maintain a dwelling in a rodentproof or reasonably insectproof condition, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. Whenever infestation exists in two or more of the dwelling units in any dwelling or in the shared or public parts of any dwelling containing two or more dwelling units, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner.

   (D)   Rubbish storage and disposal. Every dwelling and every dwelling unit shall be supplied with approved containers and covers for storage of rubbish as required by city ordinances, and the owner, operator, or agent in control of the dwelling or dwelling unit shall be responsible for the removal of rubbish.

   (E)   Garbage storage and disposal. Every dwelling and every dwelling unit shall be supplied with an approved garbage disposal facility, which may be an adequate mechanical garbage disposal unit (mechanical sink grinder) in each dwelling unit or an incinerator unit, to be approved by the Inspector, in the structure for the use of the occupants of each dwelling unit, or an approved outside garbage can as required by city ordinances.

   (F)   A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.

(‘58 Code, § 4-120) (Am. Ord. 16-27, passed 8-15-16; Am. Ord. 21-26, passed 7-12-21; Am. Ord. 21-40, passed 9-7-21; Am. Ord. 22-01, passed 1-3-22) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 90.54 MINIMUM STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO ROOMING HOUSES; EXCEPTIONS.

   All of the provisions of §§ 90.45 through 90.66, and all of the minimum standards and requirements of those sections, shall be applicable to rooming houses, and to every person who operates a rooming house, or who occupies or lets to another for occupancy any rooming unit in any rooming house, except as provided in the following divisions.

   (A)   Water closet, hand lavatory, and bath facilities. At least one water closet, lavatory basin, and bathtub or shower, properly connected to an approved water and sewer system and in good working condition, shall be supplied for every four rooms within a rooming house wherever the facilities are shared. All such facilities shall be located within the residence building served and shall be directly accessible from a common hall or passageway, and shall be not more than one story removed from any of the persons sharing the facilities. Every lavatory basin and bathtub or shower shall be supplied with hot and cold water at all times. The required facilities shall not be located in a cellar.

   (B)   Minimum floor area for sleeping purposes. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor area, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least 50 square feet of floor area for each occupant 12 years of age and over, and at least 35 square feet of floor area for each occupant under 12 years of age.

   (C)   Sanitary conditions. The operator of every rooming house shall be responsible for the sanitary maintenance of all walls, floors, and ceilings and for the sanitary maintenance of every other part of the rooming house; and he shall be further responsible for the sanitary maintenance of the entire premises where the entire structure or building within which the rooming house is contained is leased or occupied by the operator.

   (D)   Sanitary facilities. Every water closet, flush urinal, lavatory basin, and bathtub or shower required by division (A) above shall be located within the rooming house and within a room or rooms which afford privacy and are separate from the habitable rooms, and which are accessible from a common hall and without going outside the rooming house or through any other room therein.

   (E)   A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.

(‘58 Code, § 4-121) (Am. Ord. 16-27, passed 8-15-16; Am. Ord. 21-26, passed 7-12-21; Am. Ord. 21-40, passed 9-7-21; Am. Ord. 22-01, passed 1-3-22) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 90.55 RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS.

   (A)   Public areas. Every owner of a dwelling containing two or more dwelling units shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition the shared or public areas of the dwelling and premises thereof.

   (B)   Cleanliness. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall keep in a clean and sanitary condition that part of the dwelling, dwelling unit, and premises thereof which he occupies and controls.

   (C)   Rubbish and garbage. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall dispose of all his rubbish and garbage in a clean and sanitary manner by placing it in the supplied storage facilities. In all cases the owner shall be responsible for the availability of rubbish and garbage storage facilities.

   (D)   Supplied plumbing fixtures. Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall keep all supplied plumbing fixtures therein in a clean and sanitary condition, and shall be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care in the proper use and operation of them.

   (E)   Care of facilities, equipment, and structure. No occupant shall willfully destroy, deface, or impair any of the facilities or equipment, or any part of the structure of a dwelling or dwelling unit.

   (F)   A violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.

(‘58 Code, § 4-122) (Am. Ord. 16-27, passed 8-15-16; Am. Ord. 21-26, passed 7-12-21; Am. Ord. 21-40, passed 9-7-21; Am. Ord. 22-01, passed 1-3-22) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 90.56 DUTIES OF BUILDING INSPECTOR.

   The Building Inspector is hereby designated as the officer to enforce the provisions of §§ 90.45 through 90.66 and to exercise the duties and powers herein prescribed. It shall be the duty of the Building Inspector to do the following.

   (A)   Investigate the dwelling conditions, and inspect dwellings and dwelling units located in the city in order to determine which dwellings and dwelling units are unfit for human habitation, and for the purpose of carrying out the objectives of §§ 90.45 through 90.66 with respect to the dwellings and dwelling units.

   (B)   Take any action, together with other appropriate departments and agencies, public and private, as may be necessary to effect rehabilitation of deteriorated housing.

   (C)   Keep a record of the results of inspections made under §§ 90.45 through 90.66 and an inventory of those dwellings that do not meet the minimum standards of fitness herein prescribed.

   (D)   Perform any other duties as may be herein prescribed.

(‘58 Code, § 4-123) (Am. Ord. 16-27, passed 8-15-16; Am. Ord. 21-26, passed 7-12-21; Am. Ord. 21-40, passed 9-7-21)

§ 90.57 POWERS OF BUILDING INSPECTOR.

   The Building Inspector is authorized to exercise any powers as may be necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purpose and provisions of §§ 90.45 through 90.66, including the following powers in addition to others herein granted.

   (A)   To investigate the dwelling conditions in the city in order to determine which dwellings therein are unfit for human habitation.

   (B)   To administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence.

   (C)   To enter upon premises for the purpose of making examination and inspections; provided the entries shall be made in such manner as to cause the least possible inconvenience to the persons in possession.

   (D)   To appoint and fix the duties of the officers, agents, and employees as he deems necessary to carry out the purposes of §§ 90.45 through 90.66.

('58 Code, § 4-124)(Am. Ord. 21-26, passed 7-12-21; Am. Ord. 21-40, passed 9-7-21)