No person shall operate a rental property rooming house or shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any rental property dormitory room and/or rooming unit in any rooming house which is not in compliance with the provisions of this Part. No owner or other person shall occupy or let to another person any rooming unit or dormitory room unless it is clean and sanitary and complies with all applicable requirements of the Borough of Dauphin including the following:
A. No person shall operate a rental property rooming house unless he holds a valid occupancy permit issued by the appropriate authority in the name of the operator and for the specific dwelling or dwelling unit. The operator shall apply to the appropriate authority upon compliance by the operator with the applicable provisions of this Part and of any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. The permit shall be transferable. Every person holding such a permit shall give notice, in writing, to the appropriate authority within 24 hours after having sold, transferred, given away or otherwise disposed of ownership of, interest in or control of any rooming house. Such notice shall include the name and address of the person succeeding to the ownership control of such rooming house.
B. At least one flush water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower, properly connected to a water and sewer system approved by the Codes Enforcement Officer and in good working condition, shall be supplied for each six persons or fraction thereof residing within a rooming house, including members of the operator's family wherever they share the use of said facilities; provided, that:
(1) In a rooming house where rooms are let only to males, flush urinals may be substituted for not more than 1.2 of the required number of water closets.
(2) All such facilities shall be so located within the dwelling as to be reasonably accessible from a common hall or passageway to all persons sharing such facilities.
(3) Every lavatory basin and bathtub or shower shall be supplied with heated and unheated water under pressure at all times.
(4) No such facilities shall be located in a basement.
C. The following provisions shall apply in all rental property rooming houses:
(1) Cooking in dormitory rooms and rooming units is prohibited.
(2) Communal cooking and dining facilities in a rooming house are prohibited.
(3) Access doors to rooming units shall have operating locks to ensure privacy.
D. Unless exempted by the Codes Enforcement Officer in writing, the operator of every rental property rooming house shall change supplied bed linen and towels therein at least once a week and prior to the letting of any room to any occupant, and the operator shall be responsible for the maintenance of all supplied bedding in a clean and sanitary manner.
E. Structurally sound handrails shall be provided on any steps containing three risers or more. If steps are not enclosed, handrails and balusters spaced no more than 6 inches apart shall be provided. Porches and/or balconies located more than 3 feet higher than the adjacent areas shall have structurally sound protective handrails 30 inches to 36 inches high, and, if unenclosed, balusters spaced no more than 6 inches apart shall also be provided.
(Ord. 2012-03, 12/4/2012)