All of the provisions of this article, and all of the minimum standards and requirements of this article, shall be applicable to rooming houses, and to every person who operates a rooming house, or who occupies, or lets to another for occupancy, any rooming unit in any rooming house, except as provided in the following subsections:
(A) At least one flush water closet, lavatory basin, and bathtub or shower, properly connected to a water and sewer system, and in good working condition, shall be supplied for each four rooms within a rooming house whenever such facilities are shared. All such facilities shall be located on the floor they serve within the dwelling so as to be reasonably accessible from a common hall, or passageway, to all persons sharing such facilities;
(B) Every lavatory basin and bathtub, or shower, shall be supplied with hot water at all times;
(C) Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one person shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor space, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one person shall contain at least 50 square feet of floor space for each occupant thereof;
(D) Every rooming unit shall have safe, unobstructed means of egress leading to safe and open space at ground level, as required by the laws of the governed area, or of the state;
(E) (1) The operator of every rooming house shall be responsible for the sanitary maintenance of all walls, floors, and ceilings, and for maintenance of a sanitary condition in every part of the rooming house.
(2) He or she shall be further responsible for the sanitary maintenance of the entire premises when the entire structure, or building, is leased, or occupied, by the operator;
(F) No person shall operate a rooming house unless he or she holds a valid rooming house license, and keeps same posted on the premises; and
(G) The Code Official, on a quarterly basis, shall inspect rooming houses.
(Ord. 21-2018, passed 12-3-2018)