The following general provisions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter.
(A) Legislative findings. It is hereby found that there exists and may in the future exist, within the city premises, dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units, or parts thereof, which by reason of their structure, equipment, sanitation, maintenance, use, or occupancy affect or are likely to affect adversely the public health (including the physical, mental, and social well being of persons and families), safety, and general welfare. To correct and prevent the existence of such adverse conditions and to achieve and maintain such levels of residential environmental quality as will protect and promote public health, safety, and general welfare, it is further found that the establishment and enforcement of minimum housing standards are required.
(B) Purposes. It is hereby declared that the purpose of this chapter is to protect, preserve, and promote the physical and mental health and social well being of the people, to prevent and control the incidence of communicable diseases, to reduce environmental hazards to health, to regulate privately- and publicly-owned dwellings for the purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and public health, and to protect the safety of the people and to promote the general welfare by legislation which shall be applicable to all dwellings now in existence or hereafter constructed. It is hereby declared that the purpose of this chapter is to ensure that the quality of housing is adequate for protection of public health, safety, and general welfare including, establishment of minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, and thermal conditions, for safety from fire and accidents, for the use and location and amount of space for human occupancy, and for an adequate level of maintenance; determination of the responsibilities of owners, operators, and occupants of dwellings; and provision for the administration and enforcement thereof.
(C) Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply uniformly to the construction, maintenance, use, and occupancy of all residential buildings and structures, where applicable, and shall apply uniformly to the alteration, repair, equipment, use, occupancy, and maintenance of all existing residential buildings and structures within the jurisdiction of the city irrespective of when or under what code or codes such buildings or structures were originally constructed or rehabilitated.
(D) Title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code of the city, hereinafter referred to as “this chapter”.
(2003 Code, § 15.04.010) (Ord. 1977-10, passed - -)