1393.011 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE.

   The most recent edition of the International Property Maintenance Code, as prepared and published by the International Code Council, Inc., is hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the maintenance of all single family dwellings including residential rental dwellings.  Any amendments to such Code or any new edition of such Code shall automatically be adopted by reference.  From and after the original effective date of this section, the provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code shall regulate the maintenance of all single family dwellings including residential rental dwellings, within the corporate limits of the City.

(Ord.  2020-72.  Passed 5-18-20.)

1393.02 HABITABLE FLOOR AREA DEFINED.

   (a)    Every rental unit shall contain at least. 250 square feet of habitable floor area for the first occupant and at least 150 square feet of habitable floor area for every occupant thereof, but in no case shall any rental unit contain less than the minimum number of square feet of habitable floor area as required by other provisions of this Chapter.

   (b)    Habitable floor area shall include all of the floor area contained in a rental unit except:

      (1)   The floor area contained in any of the following rooms or areas:

         A.    Kitchens

         B.    Bathrooms

         C.    Toilet rooms

         D.    Laundries

         E.    Pantries

         F.    Dressing rooms

         G.    Storage spaces

         H.    Foyers

         I.    Hallways

         J.    Utility rooms

         K.    Boiler rooms

         L.    Basement recreation rooms

      (2)    The floor area contained in a room located on the first floor of a rental unit in which any portion of the ceiling height is less than seven (7) feet six (6) inches;

      (3)   The floor area contained in a room located on the second or third floor of a rental unit in which the ceiling height is not at least seven (7) feet in height in at least two-thirds (2/3) of the room.

      (4)    Those portions of the floor area contained in any room on any floor that are less than seven (7) feet in width;

   (c)    All bathrooms and bedrooms shall have doors that properly close and latch shut to provide privacy to the occupants thereof.

   (d)    No rental unit may be occupied by a number of occupants that exceeds the standards set forth in this section; except:

      (1)    Occupants who are otherwise in compliance with this section, and who become in violation due to the addition of a new family member, may remain in violation without penalty for a period of six (6) months from the date of addition of the new family member, or until the expiration of a written lease (excluding extensions, options or renewals), whichever is longer.

   (e)    Any person(s) adversely affected by a decision of the Building Commissioner may appeal such decision to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(Ord. 2009-118. Passed 10-19-09.)

1393.03 HABITABLE ROOMS BELOW GRADE; RESTRICTIONS.

   No room that has its floor level below grade shall be occupied as a habitable room unless it conforms to all of the following standards, in addition to all other requirements of this Chapter:

   (a)    The room was, prior to the original effective date of this Chapter, originally designed and constructed for, or legally converted to use as a habitable room.

   (b)    The walls and floor enclosing the room shall be maintained in such condition as to prevent seepage or leakage of water into the habitable space.

   (c)    All required openings for light and ventilation shall be located entirely above the adjoining grade.

   (d)    The height of the finished ceiling of such room above any point of the adjoining ground level shall be at least fifty percent (50%) of the clear ceiling height of the room.
(Ord. 2009-118. Passed 10-19-09.)

1393.04 REQUIRED WINDOW AREA.

   Every habitable room shall be provided with natural light by one (1) or more windows, facing upon an approved open space. The aggregate glass area of such required windows shall be not less than ten percent (10%) of the floor area of the room served by such windows.
(Ord. 2009-118. Passed 10-19-09.)

1393.05 REQUIRED VENTILATION AREA.

   Every habitable room shall be provided with natural ventilation by one (1) or more windows that can easily be opened or by adequate artificial ventilation.

(Ord.  2020-72.  Passed 5-18-20.)

1393.06 KITCHENS, BATHROOMS AND WATER CLOSET COMPARTMENTS.

   Every kitchen, bathroom, and water closet compartment shall be provided with light and ventilation as prescribed for habitable rooms, except that the aggregate glass area in a kitchen shall not be less than six (6) square feet, and in a bathroom or water closet compartment, not less than three (3) square feet. However, where an approved exhaust ventilation system and approved artificial light is installed in a manner as to be in operation at all times when any such room is occupied, no natural light or ventilation shall be required.
(Ord. 2009-118. Passed 10-19-09.)

1393.07 REQUIRED DWELLING UNIT FACILITIES.

   (a)    Every rental unit shall be provided with not less than the following sanitary facilities contained within a room that shall afford privacy to any occupant thereof:

      (1)    A water closet.

      (2)   A bathtub or shower

      (3)   A lavatory.

   (b)    Every rental unit shall be provided with one (1) complete kitchen or kitchenette with approved cooking, refrigeration, and sink facilities. No such kitchen facilities shall be located within any water closet compartment or within any bathroom.
(Ord. 2009-118. Passed 10-19-09.)

1393.08 COMMUNAL KITCHENS.

   Communal kitchens are prohibited.
(Ord. 2009-118. Passed 10-19-09.)