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(a) Generally. The exterior of a structure shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as not to pose a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants and so as to protect the occupants from the adverse effects of the environment as well as the adverse economic effects of the surrounding neighborhood.
(b) Structural Members. All supporting structural members of all structures shall be kept structurally sound, free of deterioration and maintained so as to be capable of safely bearing the dead and live loads imposed upon them.
(c) Foundation Walls. All foundation walls shall be maintained so as to carry the safe design and operating dead and live loads and shall be maintained plumb and free from open cracks and breaks, so as not to be detrimental to the public safety and welfare.
(d) Exterior Walls. 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 occupied spaces of the building. All exterior surface materials, including wood, composition, vinyl or metal siding, shall be maintained weatherproof and shall be properly surface coated when required to prevent deterioration.
(e) Roofs. The roof shall be structurally sound and tight and shall not have defects which might admit rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rain water from causing dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior portion of the building. Roof water shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a nuisance to owners or occupants of adjacent premises, or that creates a public nuisance.
(f) Decorative Features. All cornices, entablatures, belt courses, corbels, terra cotta trim, wall facing and similar decorative features shall be maintained in good repair with proper anchorage and in a safe condition.
(g) Signs and Awnings. All canopies, marquees, signs, metal awnings, stairways, fire escapes, standpipes, exhaust ducts and similar overhang extensions shall be maintained in good repair and be properly anchored so as to be kept in a safe and sound condition. They shall be protected from the elements and against decay and rust by the periodic application of a weather-coating material, such as paint or other protective treatment.
(h) Chimneys. All chimneys and similar appurtenances shall be maintained structurally safe, sound and in good repair. All exposed surfaces of metal or wood shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by the periodic application of weather-coating materials, such as paint or similar surface treatment. Brick chimneys shall be periodically tuck pointed or repaired as required.
(i) Stairs and Porches. Every stair, porch, fire escape, balcony, and all appurtenances attached thereto, shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the anticipated loads and shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair. Every stair, porch and fire escape shall be maintained free of hazardous conditions, such as snow, ice, mud and other debris. The owner and occupants are jointly responsible for maintaining said areas free of hazardous conditions.
(j) Windows and Doors.
(1) Every window, door and frame shall be constructed and maintained in such relation to the adjacent wall construction so as to be weather-tight.
(2) Every window and exterior door shall be fitted reasonably in its frame and be weather-tight. Weather stripping shall be used to exclude wind or rain from entering the dwelling or structure and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.
(3) Every open window, other than a fixed window, shall be capable of being easily opened and shall be held in position by window hardware.
(4) Every open window or open doorway shall have screens to prevent entrance of insects.
(k) Glazing. Every required window sash shall be fully supplied with approved glazing materials, as set forth in this Building and Housing Code, which are without open cracks and holes. Glazing in doors shall comply with safety glazing requirements as set forth in this Building and Housing Code.
(l) Door Hardware. Every exterior door and its hardware shall be maintained in good condition. Door locks on all doors entering dwelling units shall be in good repair and capable of tightly securing the door.
(m) Basement Guards. Every basement opening shall be supplied with a material affording protection against the entry of rats.
(Ord. 2285. Passed 1-14-91.)
(a) Leasing for Residential Occupancy or Short-term Rentals; Restrictions. No owner, operator or agent shall rent or lease, or offer for rental or lease, any rental units, or any part thereof, which does not comply with the provisions of the Rental Housing Code. However, Section 1462.09(b) through (f) shall not apply to short-term rentals.
(b) Occupancy Limitation of Rental Units. The occupancy of any rental unit shall be limited to one, and only one, family, and to any authorized persons occupying such dwelling unit with such family.
(c) Habitable Floor Area. Every single-family and multifamily rental dwelling unit shall conform to the following standards:
(1) Portions of any room which do not presently meet all of the requirements for habitable rooms under any section of this chapter shall not be included in determining the habitable floor area of a rental unit.
(2) Every rental unit shall contain at least 120 square feet of habitable floor area for the first occupant thereof, and at least 100 additional square feet of habitable floor area for each occupant thereafter.
Additionally, every rental unit shall have not less than 250 square feet of habitable floor area and shall contain at least one room which shall have not less than 120 square feet of habitable floor area and which is not less than ten feet in width, provided, however, that no room used to compute compliance with such 250 square feet minimum limitation shall be less than seven feet in width nor less than seventy square feet in habitable floor area.
(3) No portion of any room which is less than seven feet in width shall be included in determining habitable floor area.
(4) All habitable rooms shall have a clear ceiling height of not less than seven feet, provided that rooms with sloping ceilings shall have a clear ceiling height of not less than six feet, nine inches, in at least one-half of their habitable floor area. In determining the habitable floor area of rooms with sloping ceilings, all portions of less than five feet in height shall be disregarded.
(5) The third floor area of a double house or of a two-family dwelling, or of a multifamily dwelling consisting of side-by-side rental units, sometimes known as row houses, shall be used to compute compliance with the requirements for a minimum habitable floor area for a family occupying a dwelling unit in such double house, two-family dwelling or multifamily dwelling, to the extent permitted by subsection (a) hereof, but subject to the requirements and limitations of this subsection, as follows:
A. Where there are two separate approved stairways from the third floor area to the ground floor of such building, seventy-five percent of the habitable floor area of the third floor shall be used to compute compliance with the requirements for minimum habitable floor area for a family occupying a rental unit in a double house or multifamily dwelling, or occupying the second floor of a two-family dwelling.
B. Where there is only one approved stairway from the third floor area to the ground floor of such building, fifty percent of the habitable floor area of the third floor shall be used to compute compliance with the requirements for minimum habitable floor area for a family occupying a rental unit in a double house or multifamily dwelling, or occupying the second floor of a two-family dwelling.
C. No portion of the habitable floor area on the third floor shall be used to compute compliance with the requirements for minimum habitable floor area for a family occupying a rental unit on the first floor of a two-family dwelling.
D. No portion of the floor area on the third floor used for storage purposes shall be included in determining the habitable floor area of such third floor.
E. No portion of any room on the third floor which does not presently meet all of the requirements for habitable rooms under any section of this chapter shall be included in determining the habitable floor area of such third floor.
F. No portion of the habitable floor area on the third floor of any dwelling shall be used to compute compliance with the requirements for minimum habitable floor area for a family occupying a rental unit in such dwelling, unless such family has the exclusive use, other than for storage purposes, of such third floor.
(d) Habitable Floor Area of Sleeping Rooms; Restrictions. Every room used for sleeping purposes shall contain not less than seventy square feet of habitable floor area if used for one occupant, and not less than fifty square feet of habitable floor area per occupant if used by more than one occupant.
(e) Habitable Rooms Below Grade; Restrictions. No room which has its floor level below grade shall be occupied as a habitable room unless, in addition to all other requirements of this chapter for habitable rooms, it shall conform to the following standards:
(1) The room shall have been originally designed and constructed, or legally converted to use, as a habitable room.
(2) The walls and floor enclosing the room shall be maintained in such condition as to prevent the entrance of moisture into the habitable space.
(3) All required openings for light and ventilation shall be located entirely above the average adjoining grade, provided, however, that such openings may face upon an areaway or window well where the width of such well, measured perpendicularly to the building wall at such opening, is not less than the distance from the bottom of the window to the finished grade at such window.
(4) The height of the finished ceiling of such room above the average adjoining ground level shall be at least fifty percent of the clear ceiling height of the room.
(f) Required Window Area. Every habitable room shall be provided with natural light by one or more windows facing upon an approved open space. The aggregate glass area of such required windows shall be not less than eight percent of the habitable floor area of the room served by them.
(Ord. 2285. Passed 1-14-91; Ord. 3108. Passed 5-13-13.)
(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.)
(a) Structural Members. The supporting structural members of every building shall be maintained structurally sound, not showing any evidence of deterioration which would render them incapable of carrying the imposed loads.
(b) Interior Surfaces.
(1) Floors, walls (including windows and doors), ceilings and other interior surfaces shall be maintained in good, clean and sanitary condition. Peeling paint, cracked or loosened plaster, decayed wood and other defective surface conditions shall be eliminated.
(2) Lead-based paint with a lead content of more than 0.5 percent shall not be applied to any interior or exterior surface of a dwelling or dwelling unit, including fences and outbuildings at these locations.
(3) Every bathroom and kitchen floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to permit such floor to be kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
(c) Exit Facilities. All interior stairs and railings and other exit facilities of every structure shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair by replacing treads and risers that evidence excessive wear or that are broken, warped or loose. Every inside stair shall be so constructed and maintained as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the anticipated loads.
(d) Handrails. Every flight of stairs which is more than four risers high shall have a handrail on at least one side of the stair, and every open portion of a stair, landing or balcony which is more than thirty inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guardrails. Handrails shall be not less than thirty inches (762 mm) nor more than thirty-four inches (864 mm) high, measured vertically above the nosing of the tread or above the floor of the landing or balcony. Guardrails shall be not less than thirty inches (762 mm) high above the floor of the landing or balcony. Every handrail and guardrail shall be firmly fastened and capable of bearing normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition.
(Ord. 2285. Passed 1-14-91.)
(a) General Requirements. The owner of a structure shall provide and maintain light and ventilation and space conditions in compliance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy or use, any premises which do not comply with the following requirements of this section.
(1) All structures shall be provided access to public property. Such means of access shall be maintained unobstructed.
(2) An open space, when used for the origin of light and ventilation, shall be maintained and unobstructed.
(3) In place of the means for natural light and ventilation herein prescribed, alternative arrangements of windows, louvers or other methods and devices that will provide the equivalent minimum performance requirements shall be permitted when such other arrangements are in compliance with this Building and Housing Code.
(b) Light. All spaces or rooms shall be provided with sufficient light so as not to endanger health and safety.
(1) Habitable spaces. Every habitable space shall have at least one window of approved size facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total window area, measured between stops, for every habitable space, shall be eight percent of the floor area of such room, except in kitchens when artificial light is provided in accordance with the provisions of this Building and Housing Code.
Whenever walls or other portions of a structure face a window of any room, and such obstructions are located less than three feet (914 mm) from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors, nor to a court, and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area for the room.
(2) Common halls and stairways. Every common hall and stairway shall be adequately lighted at all times with an illumination of at least a sixty-watt standard incandescent light bulb or equivalent thereof for each 200 square feet (18.60 m2) of floor area, provided that the spacing between lights shall not be greater than thirty feet (9144 mm). Every exterior stairway shall be illuminated with a minimum of one foot-candle (10.76 lux) at the floor, landings and treads.
(3) Other spaces. All other spaces shall be provided with natural or artificial light of sufficient intensity and so distributed as to permit the maintenance of sanitary conditions and the safe use of the space and the appliances, equipment and fixtures.
(c) Ventilation. All spaces or rooms shall be provided sufficient natural or mechanical ventilation so as not to endanger health and safety. Where mechanical ventilation is provided in lieu of the natural ventilation, such mechanical ventilating systems shall be maintained in operation during the occupancy of any structure or portion thereof. When part of the air provided by a mechanical ventilation system is recirculated, the portion or volume of air recirculated shall not be recirculated to a different residential space from which it is withdrawn.
(1) Habitable spaces. Every habitable space shall have at least one window which can be easily opened, or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. The total openable window area in every room shall be equal to at least forty-five percent of the minimum window area size required in paragraph (b)(1) hereof.
(2) Toilet rooms. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable spaces as required by paragraph (b)(1) hereof, except that a window shall not be required in bathrooms or water closet compartments equipped with an approved mechanical ventilation system. Air exhausted by a mechanical ventilation system from rooms containing a bathtub or shower within a dwelling unit shall be exhausted to the exterior and shall not be recirculated to any habitable space, including the space from which it is withdrawn. Air exhausted by a mechanical ventilation system from all other bathroom or water closet compartments shall be exhausted to the exterior without recirculation to any space, or not more than eighty-five percent of the exhaust air shall be recirculated where the system is provided with effective absorption and filtering equipment complying with this Building and Housing Code.
(3) Clothes dryer exhaust. Clothes dryer venting systems shall be independent of all other systems and shall be vented in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Gas dryers shall be vented to the exterior.
(Ord. 2285. Passed 1-14-91.)
(a) Generally. The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum plumbing facilities and fixtures to be provided in rental units. All plumbing facilities and fixtures shall comply with the requirements herein prescribed insofar as they are applicable.
The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain such plumbing facilities and fixtures in compliance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy, as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy or use, any structure or portion thereof or premises which do not comply with the following requirements.
(b) Required Facilities. Every dwelling unit shall include its own plumbing facilities, which are in proper operating condition, can be used in privacy and are adequate for personal cleanliness and the disposal of human waste. The following minimum plumbing facilities set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) hereof shall be supplied and maintained in sanitary and safe working condition.
(1) Water closet and lavatory. Every dwelling unit shall contain, within its walls, a room separate from habitable spaces, which affords privacy and a water closet supplied with cold running water. A lavatory shall be placed in the same room as the water closet or located in another room in close proximity to the door leading directly into the room in which said water closet is located. The lavatory shall be supplied with hot and cold running water.
(2) Bathtub or shower. Every dwelling unit shall contain a room which affords privacy to a person in said room and which is equipped with a bathtub or shower supplied with hot and cold running water.
(3) Kitchen sink. Every dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen sink apart from the lavatory required under paragraph (b)(1) hereof, and such sink shall be supplied with hot and cold running water.
(c) Plumbing Fixtures. All plumbing fixtures shall be maintained in a safe and usable condition. All plumbing fixtures shall be of approved nonabsorbent material.
(1) Connections. Water supply lines, plumbing fixtures, vents and drains shall be properly installed, connected and maintained in working order, shall be kept free from obstructions, leaks and defects, and shall be capable of performing the function for which they are designed. All repairs and installations shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Building and Housing Code.
(2) Maintenance. All plumbing facilities shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition by the occupant so as not to breed insects and rats or produce dangerous or offensive gases or odors.
(3) Access for cleaning. Plumbing fixtures shall be installed to permit easy access for cleaning both the fixture and the area about it.
(d) Water System. Every sink, lavatory, bathtub, shower, water closet or other facility shall be properly connected to either a public water system or to an approved private water system. All sinks, lavatories, bathtubs and showers shall be supplied with hot and cold running water.
(1) Contamination. The water supply shall be maintained free from contamination, and all water inlets for plumbing fixtures shall be located above the overflow rim of the fixture. Janitor sink faucets and other hose bibs or faucets to which hoses are attached and left in place, shall be protected by an approved, atmospheric-type vacuum breaker or an approved, permanently-attached hose connection vacuum breaker.
(2) Supply. The water supply system shall be installed and maintained to provide, at all times, a supply of water to plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances in sufficient volume and at pressures adequate to enable them to function satisfactorily.
(3) Water heating facilities. Water heating facilities shall be installed in an approved manner, properly maintained and properly connected with hot water lines to the fixtures required to be supplied with the hot water. Water heating facilities shall be capable of heating water to such a temperature as to permit an adequate amount of water to be drawn at every required kitchen sink, lavatory basin, bathtub, shower and laundry facility, or other similar units, at a temperature of not less than 110 degrees Fahrenheit (forty-three degrees Celsius). Every gas-burning water heater shall be vented to a chimney or other venting device leading to outdoor space. A gas-burning water heater shall not be located in any bathroom, bedroom or other occupied room normally kept closed, unless adequate combustion air is provided. There shall be installed on water heaters an approved combination temperature and pressure relief valve. All water heating appliances shall be properly installed and maintained in accordance with this chapter and with other applicable provisions of this Building and Housing Code.
(e) Sewage System. Every sink, lavatory, bathtub, shower, water closet or other facility shall be properly connected to either a public sewer system or to an approved private sewage disposal system.
Every plumbing stack, waste and sewer line shall be so installed and maintained as to function properly and shall be kept free from obstructions, leaks, and defects to prevent structural deterioration or health hazards. All repairs and installations shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Building and Housing Code.
(Ord. 2285. Passed 1-14-91.)
The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum mechanical facilities and equipment to be provided in rental units. All mechanical facilities and equipment shall comply with the requirements herein prescribed insofar as they are applicable.
The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain such mechanical facilities and equipment in compliance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy, as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy or use, any premises which do not comply with the following requirements:
(a) Heating Facilities. Every owner of any structure who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling units on terms, either express or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof, shall supply sufficient heat during the period from October 1 to May 15 to maintain a room temperature of not less than sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit (eighteen degrees Celsius), in all habitable spaces, bathrooms and toilet rooms during the hours between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. of each day, and to maintain a temperature of not less than sixty degrees Fahrenheit (sixteen degrees Celsius) during other hours. The temperature shall be measured at a point three feet (914 mm) above the floor and three feet (914 mm) from exterior walls.
Exception: When the exterior temperature falls below zero degrees Fahrenheit (minus eighteen degrees Celsius) and the heating system is operating at its full capacity, a minimum room temperature of sixty degrees Fahrenheit (sixteen degrees Celsius) shall be maintained at all times.
(b) Cooking and Heating Equipment. All cooking and heating equipment, components and accessories in every heating, cooking and water heating device shall be maintained free from leaks and obstructions, and kept functioning properly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations so as to be free from fire, health and safety hazards. All installations and repairs shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Building and Housing Code.
(c) Installation.
(1) All mechanical equipment shall be properly installed and safely maintained in good working condition and be capable of performing the function for which it was designed and intended.
(2) All vented fuel-burning equipment shall be connected to an approved chimney or vent.
(3) All required clearances to combustible materials shall be maintained.
(4) All safety controls for fuel-burning equipment shall be maintained in effective operation.
(5) A supply of air for complete combustion of the fuel and for ventilation of the space shall be provided for the fuel-burning equipment.
(d) Boilers. Each boiler and pressure vessel, other than boilers located within a dwelling unit, shall be inspected by the Department of Planning and Zoning or its representative a minimum of once every two years. The inspection shall determine that the boiler operates in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements and that all safety devices and controls function correctly. A copy of the most recent inspection certificate shall be made available upon request.
(e) Fireplaces. Fireplaces, and other construction and devices intended for use similar to a fireplace, shall be stable and structurally safe and connected to approved chimneys.
(f) Climate Control. When facilities for interior climate control (heating, cooling and/or humidity) are integral functions of structures used as dwelling units, such facilities shall be maintained and operated in a continuous manner in accordance with the designed capacity.
(g) Elevators.
(1) Elevators, dumbwaiters and escalators shall be maintained to safely sustain the loads to which they are subjected, to operate properly and to be free of physical and fire hazards.
(2) In buildings equipped with passenger elevators, at least one elevator shall be maintained in operation at all times when the building is occupied.
(3) Buildings equipped with only one elevator shall be permitted to have the elevator temporarily out of service for testing or servicing.
(Ord. 2285. Passed 1-14-91.)
The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum electrical facilities and equipment to be provided in rental units. All electrical facilities and equipment shall comply with the requirements herein prescribed insofar as they are applicable.
The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain such electrical facilities and equipment in compliance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy, as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy or use, any premises which do not comply with the following requirements:
(a) Electrical Facilities. Every building, or part thereof, used for human occupancy shall be adequately and safely provided with an electrical system in compliance with the requirements of this section and with other applicable requirements of this Building and Housing Code. The provisions of paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) hereof shall be considered absolute minimum. The size of units and the usage of appliances and equipment shall be used as a basis for determining the need for additional facilities in accordance with NFIPA 70, the National Electrical Code.
(1) Electrical outlets. Every habitable room shall contain at least one floor or wall-type electrical outlet and one ceiling electrical lighting fixture or two electrical convenience outlets. Every water closet compartment, bathroom, hall, furnace room or laundry room shall contain at least one wall- or ceiling-type electric light fixture. Every electrical outlet and fixture shall be properly installed and maintained in good and safe working condition, and connected to an approved source of electrical power in a safe, approved manner.
(2) Service. When the electrical system requires modification to correct inadequate service, as defined in subsection (c) hereof, the service shall be corrected to a minimum of sixty ampere, three-wire service.
(b) Installation. All electrical equipment, wiring and appliances shall be installed and maintained in a safe manner in accordance with all applicable laws. All electrical equipment shall be of an approved type.
(c) Defective Systems. Where it is found that the electrical system in a structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants of the structure by reason of inadequate service, improper fusing, insufficient outlets, improper wiring or installation, deterioration or damage, or for similar reasons, the Code Official shall require the defects to be eliminated.
(Ord. 2285. Passed 1-14-91.)
The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum fire safety facilities and equipment to be provided in rental units. All structures shall be constructed and maintained to prevent and avoid fire hazards, and in a manner conducive to fire safety. All fire safety facilities and equipment shall comply with the requirements herein prescribed insofar as they are applicable.
The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain such fire safety facilities and equipment in compliance with these requirements and the Fire Prevention Code. A person shall not occupy, as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy or use, any premises which do not comply with the following requirements:
(a) Means of Egress.
(1) A safe, continuous and unobstructed means of egress shall be provided from the interior of a structure to the exterior at a street, or to a yard, court or passageway leading to a public open area at grade.
(2) All required and all existing fire escapes shall be maintained in working condition and shall be structurally sound.
(3) Waste, refuse or other materials shall not be allowed to accumulate in stairways, passageways, doors, windows, fire escapes or other means of egress.
(b) Exit Signs. All exit signs shall be maintained, illuminated and visible.
(c) Fire Resistance Ratings. Floors, walls, ceilings and other elements and components required to develop a fire resistance rating shall be maintained so that the respective fire resistance rating of the enclosure, separation or construction is preserved.
(d) Fire Protection Systems. All fire protection systems and equipment shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times.
(1) Fire alarms. Fire alarms and detecting systems shall be maintained in good working condition and shall be suitable for their respective purposes.
(2) Fire suppression systems. Fire suppression systems shall be maintained in good condition, free from mechanical injury. Sprinkler heads shall be maintained clean, free of corrosion and paint, and not bent or damaged.
(3) Standpipe systems. Hose stations shall be identified and accessible. The hose shall be in proper position, ready for operation, dry and free of deterioration.
(4) Fire extinguishers. All portable fire extinguishers shall be visible and accessible, and maintained in an efficient and safe operating condition.
(e) Fire Doors. All required fire resistance rated doors or smoke barriers shall be maintained in good working order, including all hardware necessary for the proper operation thereof. The use of door stops, wedges and other unapproved hold-open devices is prohibited.
(f) Smoke Detectors. All residential occupancies shall be provided with a minimum of one approved single-station smoke detector in the sleeping area of each dwelling unit. The detectors shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this Building and Housing Code and the Fire Prevention Code. When actuated, the smoke detector shall provide an alarm suitable to warn the occupants within the individual dwelling unit.
(Ord. 2285. Passed 1-14-91.)
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