Any building or portion thereof including any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, motel, hotel or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the following listed conditions to an extent that endangers the health, safety and welfare of the public or the occupants thereof shall be deemed to be a substandard building and shall be condemned as unfit for human habitation:
(a) "Inadequate sanitation", which includes but is not limited to the following:
(1) Lack of, or improper water closet, lavatory, bathtub or shower in a dwelling.
(2) Lack of, or improper water closets, lavatories and bathtubs or showers per number of persons in a rooming house, motel or hotel.
(3) Lack of or improper kitchen sink.
(4) Lack of hot and cold running water to plumbing fixtures in a dwelling unit, rooming house, motel or hotel.
(5) Lack, or improper operation of required ventilating equipment.
(6) Lack of adequate heating facilities.
(7) Lack of minimum amounts of light and ventilation required by this Code.
(8) Room and space dimensions less than required by this Code.
(9) Dampness of habitable rooms.
(10) Infestation of insects, vermin or rodents.
(11) General dilapidation or improper maintenance.
(12) Lack of connection or required sewage disposal system.
(13) Improperly enclosed, ventilated or unsanitary under floor area.
(14) Lack of adequate garbage and rubbish storage and removal facilities.
(b) "Structural hazards" which includes but is not limited to the following:
(1) Deteriorated or inadequate foundations.
(2) Defective or deteriorated flooring or floor supports.
(3) Flooring or floor supports of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
(4) Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that split, lean, list or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.
(5) Members of walls, partitions or other vertical supports that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
(6) Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports or other horizontal members which sag, split or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.
(7) Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports or other horizontal members that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads with safety.
(8) Fireplaces or chimneys which list, bulge or settle, or which are of insufficient size or strength to carry imposed loads with safety.
(d) "Unfit dwelling" means any dwelling or dwelling unit unfit for human habitation as defined in Section 1341.03
(a)(38) of this Code.
(e) "Hazardous wiring" means all wiring except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation and which has been maintained in good working condition and is being used in a safe manner.
(g) "Hazardous mechanical equipment" means all mechanical equipment including vents, except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation and which has been maintained in good and safe working condition.
(h) "Faulty weather protection" which includes but is not limited to the following:
(1) Deteriorated, crumbling or loose plaster.
(2) Deteriorated or ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roof, foundations or floors, including broken windows or doors.
(3) Defective or lack of weather protection for exterior wall coverings, including lack of paint or weathering due to lack of paint or other approved protective covering.
(4) Broken, rotten, split or buckled exterior wall coverings or roof coverings.
(i) "Fire hazard" means any building or portion thereof, device, apparatus, equipment, combustible waste or vegetation which in the opinion of the Fire Chief or his deputy, is in such a condition as to cause fire or explosion or provide a ready fuel to augment the spread and intensity of fire or explosion arising from any cause.
(j) "Faulty materials of construction" means all materials of construction except those which are specifically allowed or approved by this Code and the Building Code, and which have been adequately maintained in good and safe condition.
(k) "Hazardous or unsanitary premises" means those premises on which an accumulation of weeds, vegetation, lumber (new or used), junk, dead organic matter, debris, garbage, offal, rat harborages, stagnant water, combustible materials, abandoned or inoperable motor vehicles, and similar materials or conditions which constitute fire, health or safety hazards.
(l) "Inadequate exits" means all buildings or portions thereof not provided with adequate exit facilities as required by this Code except those buildings or portions thereof whose exit facilities conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and which have been adequately maintained and increased in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy.
(m) "Inadequate fire protection or fire fighting equipment" means all buildings or portions thereof which are not provided with the fire resistive construction or fire extinguishing systems or equipment required by this Code except those buildings or portions thereof in which their construction and whose fire resistive integrity and fire extinguishing systems or equipment have not been adequately maintained and improved in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy.
(n) "Improper occupancy" means all buildings or portions thereof occupied for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes which were not designed or intended to be used for such occupancies.
(Ord. 1895. Passed 1-25-78.)
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOWELLVILLE