(a) General. All spaces or rooms shall be provided sufficient light so as not to endanger health and safety.
(b) Habitable Rooms. Every habitable room shall have at least one window of approved size facing directly to the outdoor or to a court. The minimum total glazed window area, for every habitable room shall be eight percent (8%) of the floor area of such room, except in kitchens when artificial light may be provided in accordance with the provisions of the building code. Whenever walls or other portions of a structure face a window of any room, and such obstructions are located less than three (3) feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors nor to a court and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum of total window area for the room.
(c) Common Halls and Stairways. Shared halls and stairways in multi-family residential premises shall be adequately lighted at all times.
(d) Emergency Escape.
(1) Every sleeping room below the fourth story shall have at least one (1) operable window or exterior door approved for emergency egress or rescue. The units and any bars, grills, or screens placed over them shall be openable from the inside without the use of special knowledge, separate tools, or force greater than that which is required for normal operation of the window or door.
(2) Where windows are provided for emergency escape or rescue, the minimum clear opening shall be no less than twenty-four (24) inches in height, twenty (20) inches in width, no greater than forty-four (44) inches above the adjacent floor.
(Ord. 49(98-99). Passed 7-12-99.)