It shall be unlawful for any person to let or hold out to another for occupancy, any dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein, which is not safe, clean and fit for human occupancy, and which does not comply with the particular requirements of the following:
A. Foundations, Exterior Walls And Roofs: The foundation, exterior walls and exterior roof shall be substantially watertight and protected against rodents and shall be kept in sound condition and repair. The foundation elements shall adequately support the building at all points. Every exterior wall shall be free of deterioration, holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timbers, and any other condition which might admit rain or dampness to the interior portions of the walls or to the exterior spaces of the dwelling. The roof shall be tight and have no defects which admit rain, and roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rain water from causing dampness in the walls. All cornices, rustications, quoins, moldings, belt courses, lintels, sills, oriels, windows, pediments and similar projections shall be kept in good repair and free from cracks and defects which make them hazardous and dangerous.
B. Floors, Interior Walls And Ceilings: Every floor, interior wall and ceiling shall be adequately protected against the passage and harborage of vermin and rodents, and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Every floor shall be free of holes and cracks. Every floor shall be free of loose, warped, protruding or rotting floor boards. Every interior wall and ceiling shall be free of holes and large cracks and shall be maintained in a tight, weatherproof condition. Every interior wall and ceiling shall be free of loose plaster or other structural material. Plaster, paint and all other surface materials shall be of such character as to be easily cleanable, and shall be reasonably smooth, clean and tight. Every toilet room and bathroom floor surface shall be substantially impervious to water and be capable of being maintained easily in a clean and sanitary condition.
C. Windows, Doors And Hatchways: Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway shall be substantially tight, and shall be kept in sound condition and repair. Every window shall be fully supplied with window panes, which are without cracks or holes. Every window shall be in good condition and shall fit reasonably tight, capable of locking, fastening or otherwise closing in a locked manner, the window from the inside, and every window, other than a fixed window, shall be capable of being opened and held in such an open position by appropriate hardware. Every exterior door, door hinge and door latch shall be in good condition. Every exterior door, when closed, shall fit reasonably within its frame.
D. Screens: Screens shall be supplied, maintained and installed to the following extent:
1. Every basement or cellar window which is openable shall be supplied with a framed heavy wire screen or hardware cloth of not less than four (4) mesh per inch (1") which fits tightly and which is securely fastened to the frame, or with any other material affording equivalent protection against the entry of rodents.
2. From April 15 to November 15 of each year, every door opening directly from any dwelling unit to the outdoors and every window or other outside opening used for ventilation purposes, shall be supplied with a screen of not less than sixteen (16) mesh per inch (1") and every screen door shall have a self-closing device in good working condition on it.
E. Stairways And Porches: Every stairway, inside or outside of the dwelling, and every porch shall be kept in safe condition and sound repair. Every flight of stairs and every porch floor shall be free of deterioration. Every stairwell and every flight of stairs which is more than four (4) risers high shall have rails not less than two and one-half feet (21/2') high, measured vertically from the nose of the tread to the top of the rail; and every porch which is more than four (4) risers high shall have rails not less than two and one-half feet (21/2') above the floor of the porch. Every rail and balustrade shall be firmly fastened and maintained in good condition. No flight of stairs shall have settled more than one inch (1") out of its intended position or have pulled away from supporting or adjacent structures. No flight of stairs shall have rotting, loose or deteriorating supports. The treads and risers of every flight of stairs shall be uniform in width and height. Every stair tread shall be strong enough to bear a concentrated load of at least four hundred (400) pounds without danger of breaking. Every porch shall have a sound floor. No porch shall have rotting, loose or deteriorating supports.
F. Basements And Cellars: Every basement and every cellar shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition with the required minimum window area entirely aboveground level. The floors and walls must be constructed in a manner to prevent the entry of moisture and must be so insulated so as to prevent the condensation of moisture within the room. Water shall not be permitted to accumulate or to stand on the floor. All sewer connections shall be properly trapped. All cellar and slab drains shall be covered with grating. Junk, rubbish and waste shall not be permitted to accumulate to such an extent as to create fire hazards or to endanger health or safety.
G. Facilities, Equipment And Chimneys: Every supplied facility, fixture, system, piece of equipment or utility, and every chimney and chimney flue shall be installed and maintained in a safe, sound and sanitary working condition, consistent with the requirements of this Chapter or the Uniform Building Code as adopted by the City.
H. Grading And Drainage Of Lots: Every yard, court, vent, passageway, driveway and any other portion of the lot on which the dwelling stands shall be graded and drained so as to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water on any such surface. Driveways shall be maintained in a safe condition, free of safety hazards to the general public.
I. Infestation: Each dwelling and all exterior appurtenances on the premises shall be adequately protected against rats, mice, termites and other vermin infestation. Remedial steps shall be taken by the owner to correct any problem such as building defects which permit the entrance of rats, mice, termites and vermin. (1997 Code)