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(a) Pest Infestation. All structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation and all potential points of entry shall be properly maintained as to prevent pest migration. All structures in which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After pest elimination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation.
(b) Owner. The owner of any structure shall be responsible for pest elimination within the structure prior to renting or leasing the structure. Proper precautions shall be taken to prevent infestation. Where the infestations are caused by defects in the structure, the owner shall be responsible for pest elimination. Whenever infestation exists in two or more dwelling units in any dwelling or in the common parts of any dwelling containing two or more dwelling units, extermination thereof shall be the responsibility of the owner.
(c) Occupant. The occupants of any structure shall be responsible for the continued pest-free condition of the structure. If infestation is caused by failure of an occupant to prevent such infestation in the area occupied, the occupant shall be responsible for pest elimination. Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of insects, rodents and other pests therein, whenever their dwelling unit is the only dwelling unit within a dwelling that is infested. (Ord. 2016-40. Passed 4-20-16.)
(a) Floor Space. Every dwelling unit shall contain at least 150 square feet of floor space for the first occupant thereof, and at least 100 additional square feet of floor space for every additional occupant thereof. The floor space to be calculated on the basis of net floor area.
(b) Sleeping Areas. In all dwellings, every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least seventy square feet of floor space. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least fifty square feet of floor space for each occupant thereof.
(c) Bathroom Access. No dwelling or dwelling unit containing two or more sleeping rooms shall have such room arrangements that access to a bathroom or water closet compartment, intended for use by occupants of more than one sleeping room, can be had only by going through another sleeping room, nor shall room arrangements be such that access to a sleeping room can be had only by going through another sleeping room, bathroom or water closet compartment.
(d) Ceiling Height. All habitable rooms located within a dwelling shall have an average ceiling height of not less than seven feet, six inches in at least fifty percent of the net floor area with no portion less than five feet in height.
(e) Basement and Cellars. No basement or cellar space shall be used as a habitable room or dwelling unit unless:
(1) The floor and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface run-off water and are insulated against dampness;
(2) The total window area in each room is equal to at least the minimum window area sizes as required by Section 1365.02 (a);
(3) The required minimum area is located entirely above grade of the ground adjoining such window area;
(4) The total of openable window area in each room is equal to at least the minimum as required under Section 1365.02 (b);
(5) A basement or cellar space, when occupied for living, shall meet all minimum standards and requirements of the most recently adopted Ohio Residential Code at the time of the initial licensing.
(6) Furnace and hot water tank areas are to be completely separated from habitable areas by the installation of fire rated materials in an approved manner;
(7) Adequate makeup air is to be provided in an approved manner;
(8) Two means of egress shall be provided. One means of egress shall be in compliance with the provisions of Section 1365.01 (g). The second means of egress can be either the same or a window whose area shall equal a minimum of 5.8 square feet and the window sill located no more than forty-four inches from floor level.
(Ord. 2016-40. Passed 4-20-16.)
(a) Structural Design and Repair. All dwellings, structures and all parts thereof including but not limited to foundations, roofs, gutters, downspouts, chimneys, walls, ceilings, etc., both exterior and interior, shall be maintained and in good repair and capable of performing the function for which such structure or part of any feature thereof was designed or intended to be used.
(1) If any dwelling is so designed to include the use of gutters and downspouts, such gutters and their appurtenant downspouting and drains shall be maintained in a weather tight and functioning order.
(b) Exterior Maintenance. All exterior parts of every dwelling including exterior walls, additions, chimneys, porches, steps, ramps and other such structures either above or below the roof line shall be maintained in a safe condition and in good repair and capable of performing the function for which such structure or part of any feature thereof was designed or intended to be used.
(c) Premises Maintenance. All premises shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary manner so as to preclude any situation that may be inimical to the public health and safety or which may provide harborage for rodents or infestation of insects. Such premises shall be free from the accumulation and/or location of the following:
(1) Broken or dilapidated fences, walls or other structures;
(2) Improperly installed or maintained walks, driveways and driveway aprons which are in a defective condition; and
(3) Rugs, rags or other materials located on such premises which materials are not being used for general household or housekeeping purposes; broken furniture or upholstered furniture not designed or sold for outdoor use; mattresses or other household furnishing; unusable appliances, automobile parts, plastic materials, paints, miscellaneous coverings and/or any other materials including those described in this section.
(d) All parts of a residential rental unit shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition and in good working order. Additionally, compliance shall be maintained with all portions of Part 14, and Chapter 933, and Section 521.08
of the Codified Ordinances of Kent. (Ord. 2019-90. Passed 8-21-19.)
1365.98 VIOLATING A MINIMUM STANDARD SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 1365.
Any owner or operator of a residential rental unit in violation of the standards set forth in Chapter 1365 shall be subject to a civil offense in accordance with Section 501.13
of the Codified Ordinances, including the right to notice, the right to answer a charge, the right to appeal, the amount of the fine, and the City's right to have the fine increase. Issuing a Notice of Civil Offense does not limit the City of Kent from pursuing any other additional remedies not prohibited by ordinance.
(Ord. 2016-40. Passed 4-20-16.)