(a) Scope and interpretation of subchapter. The provisions of this subchapter shall apply to new and existing structure designed for commercial business use on the first floor of the building or structure located in the downtown district. The provisions of this subchapter shall be supplementary to all other provisions of the ordinances of the City of Geneva, Ohio, relating to the construction, use and maintenance of rental units. In the event of any conflict between any of the provisions of this subchapter, including any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this subchapter, and any other provisions of this Chapter, including any regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, the provisions of this subchapter shall prevail.
(b) Rental Space Requirements. Every residential rental dwelling shall conform to the following standards:
(1) Every rental unit shall contain at least 500 square feet of habitable floor area for the first two occupants thereof, and at least 80 square feet of habitable floor area for up to two additional occupants thereafter.
(2) Each living room shall contain at least 160 square feet of habitable floor area.
(3) Each bathroom shall contain at least 40 square feet of habitable floor area.
(4) Each bedroom shall contain at least 80 square feet of habitable floor area.
(c) Tenancy Requirements. Every owner and/or occupant, jointly and severally, shall comply with the following requirements when renting or leasing each rental unit, except that subsections (c)(1), (2) and (7) of this section shall not apply to short-term rentals:
(1) A tenant permit shall be obtained for each rental unit at the time of first occupancy for new units.
(2) Zoning inspections shall be scheduled and completed at each tenant registration and prior to occupancy of tenant.
(3) Each unit may be subject to a periodic fire inspection. Tenant(s) and/or owner(s) shall be given 24 hours notice prior to inspection.
(4) No pets shall be permitted in units at any time.
(5) Window drapes or blinds are required for all windows, and shall be either white or beige in color.
(6) Each window shall be properly fitted with a window screen in good condition. No air conditioning units are permitted in windows facing any public street.
(7) Tenant parking shall be limited to designated "Permit Only" parking areas. Parking permits shall be obtained from the Zoning Administrator for thirty dollars ($30.00) per vehicle with proof of downtown occupancy. The number of parking permits per unit shall be limited to two.
(8) All levels of the building, including connecting units and common areas, shall contain interconnecting smoke detectors with battery back up.
(9) Building owners may request a variance on the requirements in the subchapter from the Planning Commission.
(d) Garbage and Waste Collection and Removal.
(1) Building owners with more than two rentable units in the same building, regardless of the number of units rented, shall provide an adequate approved trash dumpster large enough to contain two weeks collection of garbage per unit. Dumpster shall not be located on the address side of the building.
(2) Building owners with two or less than two rentable units may allow tenants to place garbage bags on the street for regular garbage pickup by authorized residential garbage collector. No garbage bags may be placed on the street until 9 p.m. in the evening of the immediately preceding date of regular garbage collection. Tenant shall be responsible for removing garbage placed on the street that is not picked up by the authorized garbage collection agency.
(e) Application. All requirements of this subsection, except for Section 1462.095(c)(7), shall be applied for all new units prior to rental or first occupancy. All existing rental units shall apply all requirements of this subchapter at first change of occupant or by July 1, 2005, whichever is sooner. Parking regulations set forth in Section 1462.095(c)(7) shall begin immediately for all units, whether new or existing at the time of passage of this section. Occupants with pets living in existing units at the time of passage of Ordinance 2844 are exempted from this Section.
(Ord. 2844. Passed 9-13-04; Ord. 2863. Passed 2-28-05; Ord. 3108. Passed 5-13-13.)