9-2-16: OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit, for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements:
   A.   Every foundation, roof, chimney, gutter and downspout, exterior wall, door, skylight and window shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Floors, interior walls and ceilings shall be sound and in good repair. Any structure whose exterior surface is deteriorated, decaying, disintegrating, or whose exterior surface has weathered with dirt and grime or has been impaired through peeling or flaking of the paint or other protective coating, shall be repaired, repainted or resurfaced. Toxic paint and materials shall not be applied on interior surfaces where readily accessible to children. Every premises shall be graded, drained free of standing casual water and maintained in a clean, sanitary and safe condition.
   B.   Every window, exterior door and hatchway or similar device, shall be watertight, and shall be kept in a sound condition. During that portion of the year when there is a need for protection against mosquitoes, flies and other flying insects every door opening directly from a dwelling unit to outside space shall have supplied properly fitting screens having at least sixteen (16) mesh and a self-closing device, and every window or other device with openings to outdoor space, used for ventilation, shall likewise be supplied with screens; except that such screens shall not be required in dwelling units equipped with air conditioning systems in which windows or doors are not required for ventilation.
   C.   Every owner shall maintain his or her property in a rat free condition.
   D.   Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents or other pests therein or on the premises. Whenever infestation is caused by failure of the owner to maintain a dwelling in a rat proof or reasonably insect proof condition, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner.
   E.   Accessory structures present or provided by the owner, agent, or tenant-occupant on the premises of a dwelling shall be free of flaw, defect, or decay, and be maintained in good repair and free of insects and rats, or such structures shall be removed from the premises. The exterior of such structures shall be made weather resistant through the use of decay-resistant materials or the use of paint or other preservatives.
   F.   Every foundation, roof, floor, exterior and interior wall, ceiling, inside and outside stair, every porch, and every appurtenance thereto, shall be capable of supporting the loads that nominal use may cause to be placed thereon; and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.
   G.   Every plumbing fixture and all water and waste pipes shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the plumbing code of the City 1 .
   H.   Every occupant of a dwelling unit or accessory structure shall keep all plumbing fixtures therein in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care and the proper use and operation thereof.
   I.   Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall be responsible for hanging all screens and double or storm doors and windows whenever the same are required under the provisions of this Chapter or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, and where the owner has agreed to supply such service.
   J.   Every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility which is required under this Chapter shall be so constructed or installed that it will function safely and effectively, and shall be maintained in satisfactory working condition.
   K.   Every owner of a dwelling containing two (2) or more dwelling units or an accessory structure shall be responsible for maintaining a clean and sanitary condition of the shared or public areas of such buildings and premises thereof.
   L.   Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall keep in a clean and sanitary condition that part of the dwelling, dwelling unit, accessory structure and premises thereof which he occupies and controls.
   M.   Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall dispose of all rubbish and any other organic waste, which might provide food for rodents, in a clean and sanitary manner.
   N.   Every water closet compartment, bathroom and kitchen floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water so as to permit such floor to be kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
   O.   No owner, operator, or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required under this Chapter to be removed from or shut off or discontinued for any occupied dwelling or dwelling unit let or occupied by him; except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process, or during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by the Deputy Director.
   P.   No owner shall occupy or let to another occupant any vacant dwelling unit unless it is clean, sanitary and fit for human occupancy conforming with the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 4267, 1-11-1978; amd. Ord. 4356, 10-11-1978)

 

Notes

1
1. See Section 9-1-1 of this Code.