A. Occupancy: The occupancy of any single building used for guest accommodations shall be limited to no more than: 1) two (2) persons per bedroom, plus two (2) additional persons per building, not to exceed a maximum of sixteen (16); or 2) no more than one person for every one hundred (100) gallons of water per day that the building's septic system is designed to handle, whichever number is smaller. The occupant load of each guestroom, lodging or rooming house or rental home shall be posted in a prominent location, and the occupant load shall not be exceeded. Adults and minors shall be included in the occupancy count.
B. Septic Systems:
1. Every facility not on a central sewer must be on a septic system that is designed and constructed to handle the maximum number of guests for which the facility is licensed. If additional guest accommodations are added to any facility, the septic capacity must be increased to handle the maximum number of guests for which the addition is designed. Any expansion to the septic system must meet all state and county regulations.
2. The septic system tank must be pumped out a minimum of once every four (4) years or as often as the county health officer may require. A copy of the pumper's report shall be provided to the building and zoning office.
C. Water Supply: The owner of every rental facility not on a central municipal water system must have its well water tested a minimum of once every year. The costs for such testing shall be the responsibility of the property owner. A copy of the test results shall be provided to the building and zoning office annually.
D. Mechanical Systems: Every facility utilizing any gas, oil or solid fuel burning appliance or apparatus, including, but not limited to, furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves or hot water heaters, shall have each such appliance or apparatus inspected annually by a heating technician. A copy of the inspection report shall be provided to the building and zoning office annually.
E. Fire Department Requirements:
1. Minimum Requirements: Each building/facility shall meet the applicable requirements of the NFPA code specific to the type of structure licensed, and the additional requirements set forth in this subsection.
2. Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detectors:
a. Detectors Required: Each facility shall be required to install and maintain smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors according to the following requirements:
(1) Smoke Detectors:
(A) Smoke detectors must be either permanently wired into the building's AC power line, with battery backup, or be otherwise interrelated so as to comprise a system that is, in the judgment of the county building and zoning administrator, of equal or greater protection value.
(B) Multistation units shall be interconnected so that the activation of one detector will activate all the detectors in the building or will activate other centrally located warning devices.
(C) Smoke detectors shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the county regulations specific to the particular type of structure licensed as a guest accommodation.
(2) Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Carbon monoxide detectors shall be placed in each facility in accordance with Illinois law, 430 Illinois Compiled Statutes 135/1 et seq., as amended. Such carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
3. Requirements For Emergencies:
a. Emergency Lighting: All guest facilities shall provide adequate emergency lighting, as determined by the building and zoning administrator, of the interior of the facility so as to provide any guest with sufficient light to find an appropriate exit during a fire or other emergency.
b. Exit Requirements: All interior and exterior exits shall open from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge. All such exits shall be of a width of thirty inches (30") or greater and shall not be blocked or obstructed at any time.
c. Floor Plan: A floor plan of the building shall be maintained and displayed in prominent location in each guest facility. The plan shall show the location of each guestroom and the exit locations to be used for such guestrooms in the event of fire. The licensee shall furnish two (2) copies of the floor plan to the building and zoning office. The building and zoning administrator shall provide a copy of each floor plan to the appropriate fire chief.
d. Emergency Telephone: Each guest house or home shall provide a telephone for emergency purposes. Such phone shall be available twenty four (24) hours a day. A list of all emergency numbers shall be posted next to the telephone. Property owners shall contact the Jo Daviess County sheriff's office to schedule an emergency test call to confirm match to the licensed physical address.
F. Access Roads: All access roads serving any guest facility shall be of sufficient width and construction to accommodate emergency vehicles. Local fire departments may designate minimum acceptable width required for access roads, but in no case shall the width be less than ten feet (10').
G. Parking: Each and every facility shall provide no less than one parking place for every two (2) persons for which the licensed facility provides occupancy. Overnight parking on township, county or state roads adjacent to the facility is prohibited. (Ord. 2014-5, 7-8-2014; Ord. O2021-6, 9-14-2021)