13-196-500 Residential buildings – Access to water closets.

   Every room used exclusively as a bedroom shall have access to at least one water closet without passing through another room used exclusively as a bedroom.

(Prior code § 78-47)

13-196-510 Residential buildings – Ceiling heights.

   At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of not less than seven feet; and the floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible occupancy thereof. However, in any room, beams or furred spaces constituting not more than 25 percent of the ceiling area, may have a height of not less than six feet.

(Prior code § 78-49)

13-196-520 Residential buildings – Basement units.

   A basement space used as a habitable room or family unit shall comply with the following:

   1.   The floor depth below grade is not limited if the floors and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and are protected against dampness.

   2.   The required minimum window area is located entirely above the finished elevation of the ground adjoining the building wall in which the windows are located.

(Prior code § 78-50)

13-196-530 Residential buildings – Foundations, exterior walls and roofs – Maintenance.

   The foundation, exterior walls, and exterior roof shall be substantially watertight and protected against rodents, and shall be kept in sound condition and repair:

   (a)   The foundation elements shall adequately support the building at all points.

   (b)   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 exterior spaces of the dwelling.

   (c)   The roof shall be tight and have no defects which admits rain and roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rain water from causing dampness in the walls.

   (d)   The dwelling shall be in a rat-stopped condition, in accordance with Sections 7-28-660 through 7-28-730 of this Code, and shall be adequately protected against the entry of other rodents.

   (e)   All cornices, rustications, quoins, moldings, belt courses, lintels, sills, oriel windows, pediments and similar projections shall be kept in good repair and free from cracks and defects which make them hazardous and dangerous.

(Prior code § 78-51)

13-196-540 Residential buildings – Floors, interior walls and ceilings – Maintenance.

   Every floor, interior wall, and ceiling shall be kept in sound condition and good repair and further,

   (a)   Every floor shall be free of holes and wide cracks which might admit rodents or which constitute a possible accident hazard.

   (b)   Every floor shall be free of loose, warped, protruding, or rotting floor boards.

   (c)   Every interior wall and ceiling shall be free of holes and large cracks.

   (d)   All interior walls, ceilings and interior woodwork shall be free of flaking, peeling, chipped or loose paint, plaster or structural material.

   (e)   Plaster, paint and other surface materials shall be of such character as to be easily cleanable, and are reasonably smooth, clean and tight.

   (f)   Every toiletroom and bathroom floor surface shall be substantially impervious to water and be capable of being maintained easily in a clean and sanitary condition.

(Prior code § 78-52)

13-196-550 Residential buildings – Windows, doors and hatchways – Maintenance.

   Every window, exterior door, and basement hatchway shall be substantially tight, and shall be kept in sound condition and repair, and

   (a)   Every window shall be fully supplied with window panes which are without open cracks or holes.

   (b)   Every window sash shall be in good condition and fit reasonably tight within its frame.

   (c)   Every window, other than a fixed window, shall be capable of being easily opened and shall be held in position by window hardware.

   (d)   Every exterior door, door hinge, and door hatch shall be in good condition.

   (e)   Every exterior door, when closed, shall fit reasonably well within its frame.

   (f)   Every window, door, and frame shall be constructed and maintained in such relation to the adjacent wall construction as completely to exclude rain, and substantially to exclude wind from entering the dwelling.

   (g)   Every basement hatchway shall be so constructed and maintained as to prevent the entrance of rodents, rain, and surface drainage water into the dwelling.

   (h)   Every door available as an exit as required by this chapter shall be capable of being opened from the inside, easily and without the use of a key.

(Prior code § 78-53)

13-196-560 Residential buildings – Screens.

   Screens shall be supplied to the following extent:

   (a)   Every basement or cellar window which is openable shall be supplied with a heavy wire screen or hardware cloth of not less than four mesh per inch which fits tightly and is securely fastened to the frame, or with any other material affording equivalent protection against the entry of rodents.

   (b)   From April 15th to November 15th of each year, every door opening directly from any family unit to the outdoors and every window, or other outside openings used for ventilation purposes, shall be supplied with a screen of not less than 16 mesh per inch and every screen door shall have a self-closing device in good working condition. Except for existing screens, which shall not be removed without the written consent of the person entitled to possession of the unit, no screens shall be required for a family unit on a floor above the fourth floor, unless required by the department of buildings and fire department when unusual circumstances of insect prevalence exists.

(Prior code § 78-54; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-89, p. 4604; Amend Coun. J. 6-27-90, p. 17617)