(a) Every rooming unit shall have at least one safe, unobstructed means of ingress and egress leading to a safe, open space at ground level and to a public street or alley, without having to pass through a bathroom or a sleeping room of another dwelling unit or a rooming unit. Where there are seven or more persons occupying rooming units on a second story, or where there are more than two stories, a minimum of two approved exitways serving those rooming units located above or below the first story shall be provided. However, rooming units on a second story may be served by a single stairway, if such stairway is enclosed by one-hour, fire-resistant materials, provided that the second story does not exceed 2,400 square feet in floor area and the distance from any rooming unit to the stairway does not exceed 50 feet.
(b) Where a structure contains mixed occupancy composed of a rooming unit and a nonresidential use, then the nonresidential use shall be separate from other portions of the building by construction affording a three-quarter hour fire rating and those rooming units above or below the first floor shall be provided with exitways as set forth in the State Building Code.
(Ord. 11-1977, passed 5-16-1977)