The following standards shall constitute the minimum standards for structural condition of a dwelling or dwelling unit.
(A) Foundation.
(1) A foundation wall system shall support the building at all points and shall be free of holes, cracks, and loose mortar or masonry which would admit rodents, water or dampness to the interior of the building or which lessen the capability of the foundation to support the building.
(2) All crawl spaces shall be graded so as to prevent any standing water.
(3) Foundation piers shall be sound with no loose mortar or masonry.
(B) Exterior walls.
(1) There shall be no broken, cracked or fire damaged structural members.
(2) All siding shall be weather-tight, with no holes or excessive cracks or decayed boards which permit excessive air or moisture to penetrate rooms.
(3) All siding shall be appropriately attached to the structure such that it does not move or become unattached under normal storm wind conditions.
(4) Exterior surfaces not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be treated with protective, appropriate siding or painted and maintained in good repair to prevent deterioration.
(C) Interior walls.
(1) The interior finish shall be free of holes and excessive cracks which:
(a) Permit air or moisture to penetrate rooms; or
(b) Contain loose or flaking materials.
(2) All interior walls shall be treated, painted and maintained so as to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(3) All wall materials shall be adequately attached to structural components and there shall be no loose plaster, loose boards or other loose wall materials. Any materials used in the repair of interior walls shall be of a material that is similar in texture and appearance to the original material and shall provide for the same level of safety and structural support as the original material.
(4) Walls shall not be covered in cardboard, newspaper or other highly combustible or improper wall finish.
(5) Walls shall contain no damaged, deteriorated, broken or cracked studs or structural members which render the building unsafe.
(6) Walls and vertical studs shall be reasonably plumb, level and straight and should not list, lean or buckle to such an extent as to render the building unsafe.
(D) Ceilings.
(1) There shall be no joists which are decayed or broken, sagging, or improperly supported.
(2) There shall be no holes or excessive cracks which permit air to penetrate rooms.
(3) There shall be no loose plaster, boards, sheetrock, or other ceiling finish. Any materials used in the repair of the ceiling shall be of a material that is similar in texture and appearance to the original material and shall provide for the same level of safety and structural support as the original material. This provision does not include the replacement of the entire ceiling provided that the material used is contiguous over the entire ceiling within the affected room.
(4) There shall be no evidence of unrepaired water or fire damage.
(5) Whenever possible every dwelling unit shall have a minimum of R-30 insulation in the attic area. The approved types include blown insulation, batt insulation or other insulation eguivalent of R-30 insulation value.
(E) Roofs.
(1) Roofs shall be supported and no rafters shall be rotted, broken, sagging, have improperly supported ends or have unrepaired fire or water damage.
(2) Roofing shall be sufficient to prevent the entrance of moisture and shall be maintained by renewal, repair, waterproofing or other suitable means.
(3) Roof sheathing shall adequately attached, not be rotted and not sagging excessively.
(4) Roof covering shall be adequately attached and not have holes or leaks.
(5) There shall be proper flashing at walls and roof penetrations installed in accordance with the North Carolina State Building Code.
(6) There shall be no chimneys or part thereof which are defective, deteriorated or in danger of falling, or in such condition to constitute a fire hazard.
(7) Roofs shall not have improperly distributed loads, shall not be overloaded, and shall have sufficient strength to be reasonably safe for the purpose for which they are used.
(F) Floors.
(1) Floors shall not have decayed, termite-damaged, fire-damaged, broken, overloaded or sagging sills that adversely affect the structural integrity of the building framing system.
(2) Joists shall not be decayed or broken so as to adversely affect the structural integrity of the floor framing system.
(3) Flooring shall be reasonably smooth and weather-tight without holes or cracks which permit excessive air to penetrate rooms.
(4) Flooring adequately attached to the structure such that it does not move or become unattached under use.
(5) All floor coverings shall be constructed and maintained so as not to constitute a trip hazard and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(6) There shall be no use of the ground for floors or wood floors directly upon the ground.
(7) Floors shall not have improperly distributed loads, shall not be overloaded, and shall have sufficient strength to be reasonably safe for the purpose for which they are used.
(G) Porches. All porches shall have adeguate posts and railings which are not rotted, broken or termite damaged. Every porch which is more than 30 inches high shall have rails installed in accordance with the North Carolina State Building Code. Porch foundations, floors, ceilings and roofs shall be egual to standards as set forth in this division (G), except:
(1) Sills, joists and floors need not be level if providing drainage.
(2) Floors need not be weathertight.
(3) Minimum ceiling height shall be seven feet.
(4) Attic area need not have insulation.
(H) Stairs and steps.
(1) Stairs and steps shall be free of holes, grooves and cracks large enough to constitute accident hazards.
(2) Stairs and steps shall be adeguately supported and stairs, steps and supporting structure shall not be rotting, sagging or deteriorated.
(3) Every stairway, including inside stairs and rails, porches, decks and appurtenances thereto shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.
(4) Platforms and steps shall be provided to serve exits and shall be maintained in a safe condition. Platforms shall be sized in accordance with the North Carolina State Building Code.
(5) No flight of stairs shall be settled out of its intended position by more than two inches or separated in any way from supporting or adjacent members.
(6) Stairs and steps shall be plumb and level and treads shall be uniform in width. Risers shall be plumb, uniform in height, sound and securely fastened to a structure. A slight uniform tilt of the treads to aid in the run off of water is permissible for exterior steps.
(I) Adequate facilities. All dwellings and dwelling units shall:
(1) Have adequate facilities for egress in case of fire, accident or other calamities.
(2) Be free from any defects significantly increasing hazards of fire, accident or other calamities.
(3) Have adequate ventilation, light, heating and sanitary facilities so as not to endanger the health, safety, or general welfare of the occupants or other residents of the town.
(4) Have proper electrical, heating or plumbing facilities which do not constitute a health or definite safety hazard.
(5) Have adequate weatherization.
(6) Not have any combination of defects or circumstances which in the judgment of the Building Inspector renders such building dangerous or injurious to the health, safety or general welfare of the occupants of the dwelling, the occupants of neighboring dwellings, or other residents of the city.
(Prior Code, § 7-52) (Ord. passed 3-13-1979; Ord. passed 6-9-2020) Penalty, see § 150.999