(A) This chapter is hereby declared to be remedial and shall be construed to secure the beneficial interests and purposes thereof, which are public safety, health and general welfare through structural strength, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards incident to the construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, use and occupancy of dwellings, apartment houses, rooming houses or buildings, structures or premises used or intended for use as such.
(B) (1) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all existing housing and to all housing hereafter constructed within the town jurisdiction. Portable, mobile or demountable buildings or structures, including trailers, manufactured homes and mobile homes when used or intended for use for housing within the jurisdiction, shall be subject to the applicable provisions of this chapter.
(2) This chapter establishes minimum requirements for the initial and continued occupancy of all buildings used for human habitation and does not replace or modify requirements otherwise established for the construction, repair, alteration or use of buildings, equipment or facilities, except as provided in this chapter.
(C) The provisions of this chapter shall also apply to abandoned structures which are found by the Town Council to be a health or safety hazard as a result of the attraction of insects or rodents, conditions creating a fire hazard, dangerous conditions constituting a threat to children or frequent use by vagrants as living quarters in the absence of sanitary conditions.
(Ord. 05-6, passed 4-12-2005)