(A) Means of egress.
(1) Every dwelling shall have safe, unobstructed means of egress with a minimum ceiling height of seven feet leading to a safe and open space at ground level.
(2) Every exterior, cellar or basement door and hatchway shall be substantially weathertight and rodent-proof, and shall be kept in sound working condition and good repair.
(3) Every exterior door shall be provided with properly installed hardware that is maintained to ensure reasonable ease of operation to open, close and secure as intended by the manufacturer of the door and attached hardware.
(4) Exterior door frames shall be properly maintained and shall be affixed with weatherstripping and thresholds as required to be substantially weathertight, watertight and rodent- and insect-resistant when the door is in a closed position.
(5) Exterior door jams, stops, headers and molding shall be securely attached to the structure, maintained in good condition without splitting or deterioration that would minimize the strength and security of the door in a closed position.
(6) All exterior doors shall have manufactured locks specifically designed for use with exterior doors requiring a key to be unlocked from the outside.
(7) Every sleeping room shall have at least one openable window or exterior door approved for emergency egress or rescue. The units must be operable from the inside to a full clear opening without the use of a key or tool. Where windows are provided as a means of egress or rescue they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the floor.
(8) All egress or rescue windows from sleeping rooms must have a net clear opening of four square feet. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 22 inches. The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches. Each egress window from sleeping rooms must have a minimum total glass area of not less than five square feet in the case of a second story window.
(9) Bars, grills, screens or other obstructions placed over emergency escape windows shall be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key or tool.
(B) Exits.
(1) There shall be one main exit, each at least 30 inches wide and six feet eight inches high, easily accessible to the occupants of each dwelling. All exit doors must be easily operable and remotely located. (See the State Building Code: Residential Code for exemptions.)
(2) Platforms, steps, and/or handrails provided to serve exits shall be maintained in safe condition.
(3) There shall be a safe, continuous and unobstructed exit from the interior of the dwelling to the exterior at street or grade level.
(Ord. No. 23-082, § 1, passed 12-14-2023)