(a) Window area.
(1) Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors.
(2) The minimum total window area for every habitable room shall measure eight square feet or eight percent of the floor area, whichever is greater.
(3) Whenever walls or other portions of structures face a window of any room and such light-obstructing structures are located less than five 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 and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area.
(4) Whenever the only window in a room is a skylight-type window in the top of such room, the total window area of such skylight shall equal at least 15 percent of the total floor area of such room.
(b) Openable windows, ventilators.
(1) Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight which can easily be opened, or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room.
(c) Bathroom and water closet rooms. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms, except that no window or skylight shall be required in adequately ventilated bathrooms and water closet rooms equipped with an approved ventilation system.
(d) Windows and doors. Windows and doors shall be reasonably weathertight, shall have no broken glass, and shall have adequate operable locks and hardware.
(e) Screening.
(1) During the period of April 1 to October 1, inclusive, for protection against mosquitoes, flies and other insects, every door opening from any housing directly to outdoor space shall have supplied screens and a self-closing device, and every openable window or other device opening to outdoor space used, designed or intended to be used for ventilation shall likewise be supplied with screens.
(2) Habitable space which is mechanically ventilated year-round by permanently installed central air conditioning equipment shall be exempt from this standard.
(f) Basement and cellar screening. Every basement or cellar window used or intended to be used for ventilation, and every other opening to a basement which might provide an entry for rodents, shall be equipped with screens or such other approved device as will effectively prevent their entrance.
(Code 1982, § 5-205; Ord. No. 96-012, 11-14-1996; Ord. No. 2011-Code-04, 6-16-2011)