(a) Declaration of Policy. There exists in the City residential, nonresidential, commercial, industrial buildings, structures, and vacant areas and combinations thereof, which are substandard, unsanitary, deteriorated or deteriorating. Their existence is injurious to the public health, safety, and welfare, including spiritual values as well as physical, aesthetic and monetary values, and constitute a nuisance and a threat to the realization of maximum benefits from urban redevelopment and the general growth and the providing of a safe and healthful environment in the City. The purpose of this Code is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the inhabitants of the City by setting forth a comprehensive Housing Code covering all buildings now in existence or hereafter constructed by:
(1) Establishing minimum standards for:
A. Basic equipment and facilities with respect to light, heat, plumbing and ventilation;
B. Use and location of space for cooking, heating, living and sleeping purpose; and
C. Adequate maintenance and prevention for elimination of hazards and nuisances, both interior and exterior areas.
(2) Determining the responsibilities of owners, operators, and occupants of dwelling and other buildings.
(3) Providing for uniform administration and enforcement adequate to carry out the provisions and intent of this Code.
(b) Application. This Code is a housing code to provide minimum requirements for the safety, health and welfare of the public and to preserve and improve the economic and aesthetic values and prevent the deterioration of buildings and neighborhoods in the City. Where a provisions of this Code is found to be in conflict with a provision of a zoning, building electrical, plumbing, fire, safety, health ordinance, or other ordinance, code or regulation, the provision or requirement which is the more restrictive or which establishes a higher standard shall prevail.
(c) Rules and Regulations.
(1) The Housing Inspector is hereby authorized to make and adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the proper administration of the enforcement of the provisions of this Housing Code, provided that such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with the provisions or intent of this Housing Code. The Housing Inspector shall file a certified copy of all rules and regulations which he may adopt with the City Clerk. Such rules and regulations shall be posted in a prominent space in City Hall thirty days before the same shall go into effect. Such rules and regulations shall have the same force and effect as the provisions of this Housing Code.
(2) A copy of all rules and regulations adopted as provided herein shall be maintained by the Department of Building and Zoning at its main office and any person having business with the Department of Building and Zoning shall have access to the copy of all rules and regulations.
(Ord. 89-21. Passed 5-1-89; Ord. 92-33. Passed 12-7-92.)