(a) General. The exterior and interior of every residential structure and its equipment shall be maintained in a structurally sound and sanitary condition so as not to pose a threat to the health and safety of the occupants and so as to protect the occupants from the environment.
(b) Structural Members. All supporting structural members of every residential structure shall be kept structurally sound, free of deterioration and capable of safely bearing the dead and live loads imposed upon them.
(c) Exterior Surfaces. Every foundation, exterior wall, roof and all other exterior surfaces shall be maintained to prevent neighborhood blight.
(1) Foundation walls. All foundation walls shall be maintained so as to carry the safe design and operating dead and live loads and shall be maintained plumb and free from open cracks and breaks, so as to be detrimental to public safety and welfare.
(2) Exterior walls. Every exterior wall shall be free of holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timbers and any other conditions which might admit rain or dampness to the interior portions of the walls or to the occupied spaces of the building. Exterior wood and ferrous metal surfaces shall be protected from the elements by paint or other protective covering. Surfaces shall be maintained so as to be kept clean and free from excessively flaking, loose, or peeling paint.
(3) Roofs. The roof shall be structurally sound, tight and not have defects which might admit rain, and roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rainwater from causing dampness in the walls or interior portion of the building.
(4) Decorative features. All cornices, entablatures, belt courses, corbels, terra cotta trim, wall facings and similar decorative features shall be maintained in good repair with proper anchorage and in a safe condition.
(5) Signs, marquees and awnings. All canopies, marquees, signs, metal awnings, stairways, fire escapes, standpipes, exhaust ducts and similar overhang extensions shall be maintained in good repair and be properly anchored so as to be kept in a safe and sound condition.
(6) Chimneys. All chimneys, cooling towers, smokestacks and similar appurtenances shall be maintained structurally safe and sound and in good repair.
(7) Stairs and porches. Every stair, porch, balcony and all appurtenances attached thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the loads to which it is subjected and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.
(d) Windows, Doors, and Their Frames. Every window, door and frame shall be constructed and maintained in such relation to the adjacent wall construction so as to exclude rain and to exclude wind from entering the dwelling or structure.
(1) Operable windows. Every window, other than fixed windows, shall be capable of being opened and shall be securable from the interior of the structure.
(2) Door hardware. Every door, door hinge and door latch shall be maintained in good condition. Door locks in dwelling units shall be in good repair and capable of tightly securing the door.
(3) Basement hatchways. Every basement or cellar hatchware shall be so constructed and maintained as to prevent the entrance of vermin, rain and surface drainage water into the structure.
(e) Interior Surfaces. Floors, walls, including windows and doors, ceilings and other interior surfaces, shall be maintained in good, clean and sanitary condition.
(1) Existing interior and exterior painted surfaces of dwelling units that contain in excess of .5 percent lead shall be removed and covered with paneling or other covering approved by the code official.
(2) Bathroom and kitchen floors: Every toilet, bathroom and kitchen floor shall be constructed and maintained so as to be substantially impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition. See Ohio Revised Code for asbestos abatement.
(f) Freedom from Dampness. In every building, cellars, basements and crawl spaces shall be maintained reasonably free from dampness to prevent conditions conductive to decay or deterioration of the structure or detriment to the occupant.
(g) Exit doors. Every door available as an exit shall be capable of being opened easily from the inside without the use of a key.
(h) Stairs, Porches, Railings. Stairs and other exit facilities shall be adequate for safety as provided in the building code.
(1) All interior and exterior stairs and railings and other exit facilities of every structure shall be maintained in sound condition, good repair, safe to use, and capable of supporting anticipated loads. Worn, broken, warped, or loose treads, risers, or railings shall be repaired or replaced.
(2) Except where stairs, porches, and railings are part of a structure erected prior to 1975 and represent an architectural feature that would be compromised if required to meet current requirements, all interior and exterior flights of stairs with five (5) or more risers and all open portions of porches, landings, ramps, and balconies which are greater than thirty (30) inches above the adjacent surface shall have guardrails on all open sides and a handrail on at least one side as required by the building code. The height of handrails in all use groups shall be no less than thirty-four (34) inches and no greater than forty-two (42) inches and the height of guardrails shall be no less than thirty-six (36) inches on one and two family dwellings and forty-two (42) inches in all other use groups.
(3) Every handrail and guardrail shall be firmly fastened and capable of bearing normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition.
(i) Access to Habitable Rooms. Sleeping rooms shall not be used as the only means of access to other sleeping rooms or habitable rooms.
(Ord. 49(98-99). Passed 7-12-99.)