Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the contrary, no person shall operate a rooming house or occupy or let to another for occupancy any rooming house except in compliance with all applicable provisions of this chapter and unless such rooming house complies with the following requirements:
A. Bathing And Toilet Facilities: At least one flush water closet and lavatory basin and bathtub or shower, in good working condition and properly connected to sewer and water systems in accordance with the applicable codes and ordinances of the city and the laws of the state, shall be supplied for each six (6) persons or fraction thereof residing within a rooming house, including members of the operator's family wherever they share the use of said facilities; provided, however, that in the case where rooms are rented only to males, flush urinals may be substituted for not more than one- half (1/2) of the required number of water closets. Such bathing and toilet facilities shall be located within the dwelling as to be reasonably accessible from a common hallway or passageway to all persons sharing such facilities. Every lavatory basin and bathtub or shower shall be supplied with hot water at all times. No such facilities as aforesaid that are located in a basement shall be considered to meet the aforesaid requirements unless the same shall conform to the provisions of subsection 7-1-6-5D of this chapter.
B. Bed Linen And Towels: Where bedding, bed linen or towels are supplied, the owner or operator shall maintain the same in a clean and sanitary condition and shall furnish clean bed linen and towels at least once each week and in any event prior to the renting of any room to any occupant.
C. Rooming Unit: Every room constituting or being a part of a rooming unit that is occupied for sleeping purposes shall comply with the standards set forth in subsection B of this section, and shall, in addition, contain not less than four (4) square feet of closet space per occupant.
D. Means Of Egress: Every rooming unit shall have immediate access to not less than two (2) safe, unobstructed means of egress, with minimum headroom of six feet four inches (6'4") leading to safe and open space at ground level.
E. Maintenance: Every rooming house shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition and full compliance with those standards set forth in section 7-1-6-2 of this chapter and this chapter.
F. Hot Air Heating System Returns: Where hot air heating systems are used, no return air shall be circulated directly from one unit or sleeping room to another.
G. Hotels And Motels: Every provision of this chapter applicable to rooming houses shall apply equally to hotels and motels, except to the extent that any of the provisions of this chapter may be found in conflict with and to the extent prohibited by the laws of the state or the unlawful rules and regulations of any state board or agency. Provided, further, that the provisions of subsection 7-1-6-4A1 of this chapter, lighting in habitable rooms, does not apply to hotels and motels if said hotels and motels meet the requirements of subsection 7-1-6-4B1 of this chapter, ventilation in habitable rooms. (Ord. 01-2014, 6-9-2014, eff. 1-1-2015; amd. 2017 Code)