(a) Window Area Required. Every habitable space shall be provided with natural light not less than that transmitted through clear window glass equal in area to five percent (5%) of the floor area of such space; natural light is not required in kitchenettes, kitchens, dining areas, utility areas, hallways and water closets of apartments, dwellings, and household units and hallways and stairways outside a dwelling unit. The light shall be provided by at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. Whenever light is obstructed from a window by a structure that extends above the top of the window and is closer than three feet to the window, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area. Artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation may be provided in lieu of the required window area provided the artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation was installed in conformance with the Grandview Heights Building Code.
(b) Operable Window Area. Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight which can be opened or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. Where natural ventilation only is provided, the total operable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to at least fifty percent (50%) of the minimum window area size or minimum skylight-type window size.
(c) Windows in Bathrooms. The window area in bathrooms shall be not less than two square feet and not less than one-half such area shall be capable of being opened, except that widows are not required in bathrooms equipped with a ventilation system approved by the Housing Inspector.
(d) Electrical Requirements. All dwellings and dwelling units not already connected to a source of electric power that are within 300 feet of available electric power lines must be connected to such power lines. In addition all electrical services shall meet the following requirements:
(1) All electrical service connection shall be installed, repaired or replaced in accordance with the Building Code of the City.
(2) All electrical wiring, connection, fixtures, breakers and switches shall be properly installed and shall be maintained in good and safe working condition free from defects and hazards to life and property.
(3) No temporary wiring may be used in any dwelling or dwelling unit except as approved by the Electrical Inspector under the City Building Code.
(4) Extension cords may be used to connect portable electric loads to a source of power. Such cords may not be used where the electric current to be supplied would exceed the cord's carrying capacity.
(5) Extension cords may not be passed through open doorways or windows or under floor coverings; they may not be placed in such a position that the passage of traffic over them could result in damage to the insulation.
(6) No more than two portable appliances may be connected to an outlet.
(7) Maximum fuse sizes shall be clearly posted on all fuse boxes. Fuses in excess of the posted maximum are not permitted. Proper amperage type S fuses may be installed in lieu of posting maximum fuse sizes. The fuse box shall be accessible at all times to the occupants of each dwelling or dwelling unit.
A. Anytime an electrical service is moved, altered in any way or replaced the service shall be increased to not less than 100 amperes per dwelling unit. Such new service shall be circuit breaker type having a minimum of fourteen full size in addition to the main breaker. Split buss panels shall not be permitted. All electrical service panels shall have each circuit identified as to the location served.
B. Every habitable room of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall contain at least two separate wall-type duplex electrical convenience outlets in addition to one supplied ceiling-type electric light fixture except that kitchens shall be provided with at least two wall type duplex electrical convenience outlets. In addition, each kitchen shall have at least one wall-type duplex electrical convenience outlet for each three lineal counterspace.
C. Every water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, and furnace room shall contain at least one supplied ceiling or wall type light fixture. Every such fixture shall be properly installed, shall be maintained in good and safe working condition, and shall be connected to a source of electric power.
D. No ceiling or wall fixture shall be used to supply power to equipment other than that for which it is designed.
E. Property owners must update the electrical system to the above standards when it has been determined by the Electrical Inspector that the system is obsolete or hazardous.
(e) Heating Facilities Required.
(1) Every dwelling and dwelling unit shall have heating facilities which are properly installed, vented and maintained in a safe operating condition, and are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and water closet compartments located therein to a temperature of at least seventy degrees Fahrenheit when the outside temperature is zero degrees Fahrenheit.
(2) It shall be the responsibility of the occupant to operate the heating facilities in order to maintain temperatures at all times in all portions of the dwelling or dwelling unit and the premises which he occupies and controls so as to prevent injury or damage to water pipes and plumbing whenever operations of the heating facilities is under his control.
(3) It shall be the responsibility of the owner, operator or agent to operate the heating facilities in order to maintain at least seventy degrees Fahrenheit temperature when the outside temperature is zero degrees Fahrenheit or above in all portions of the dwelling or dwelling unit and the premises which he occupies or controls so as to prevent injury to the health of the occupants or damage to water pipes and plumbing whenever operation of the heating facilities is under his control.
(4) Non-electric space heaters and prohibited.
(5) A clearance of at least twelve inches for the rear and sides and at least twenty-four inches for the top and front of all room or space heaters is required.
(6) Open flame radiant type space heaters are prohibited.
(7) Kerosene and LPG fueled portable heaters shall be prohibited in any rental or leased dwelling or dwelling unit.
(8) Burning of coal or wood in a fireplace not designed for such use is prohibited.
(f) Lighting in Halls or Stairways. Every public hall and stairway in every dwelling containing two or more dwelling units shall be provided with sufficient natural and artificial lighting facilities and fixtures to insure safe passage at all times. Every public hall and stairway located in structures devoted solely to dwelling occupancy containing not more than three dwelling units may be supplied with conveniently located light switches, controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on and off when needed, instead of full-time lighting.
(g) Screening. In every dwelling or dwelling unit all openings to outdoor space necessary for ventilation purposes shall be equipped with screening from May 1, to October 31. All screening required under this section shall be not less than sixteen meshes to the square inch and shall be installed and maintained in a manner affording reasonable protection against entry into the dwelling or dwelling unit of flies, mosquitoes, and other insects.
(1) The existence of air conditioning does not alter the screening requirements.
(h) Structural Spaces. Spaces such as basements, cellars, loft areas, attics and enclosed crawl spaces shall be provided with openings of sufficient size such as will provide natural ventilation to overcome dampness, minimize the effect of conditions conducive to decay and deterioration of the structure, and prevent excessive heat in attics. Mechanical ventilation may be provided in lieu of natural ventilation provided the mechanical ventilation was installed in conformance with the Grandview Heights Building Code.
(i) Rental and Leased Property. Occupants of any rental or leased dwelling or dwelling unit may not install, repair or replace any system in Section 1331.07 or 1331.08 without first having written permission of the property owners, managers or agents. Such permission shall be surrendered to the Housing Inspector upon request.
(Ord. 89-21. Passed 5-1-89.)