(a) Unless otherwise provided, no person shall occupy or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living therein which does not comply with the following requirements:
(1) Windows. Every habitable room and bathroom shall have at least one (1) egress window or egress skylight facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total window area measured between stops for every habitable room shall be at least eight percent (8%) of the total floor area of such room. All windows shall be fully operational, and the sashes shall be capable of remaining open with approved sash control devices. This requirement is waived if the room is a closet and is provided with adequate artificial lighting.
(2) Ventilation. Every habitable room and bathroom shall have at least one (1) window that can be easily opened and will adequately ventilate the room. The total openable window area in every habitable room shall be at least four percent (4%) of the total floor area of such room. This requirement is waived if the room is provided with adequate mechanical ventilation.
(3) Egress window. Any room that may be used for sleeping purposes shall be supplied with an egress window in compliance with the Ohio Building Code or Ohio Residential Code.
(4) Light and ventilation in public halls and stairways. Every public hall and stairway serving dwellings, excluding one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses, shall be adequately lighted at all times, and shall be provided with as much ventilation to the outer air as required by the Ohio Building Code. This language shall not be construed to exempt one- and two-family dwelling units and townhouses from the requirements of the Ohio Residential Code.
(5) Storm-screen units. The owner of a dwelling shall be responsible for all storm-screen units or safe weatherproof energy efficient windows.
(6) Doors. Every uninsulated door opening directly from any dwelling or dwelling unit to the outdoors that may be used for ventilation purposes shall be supplied with a storm-screen unit. Every insulated door shall be provided with a screen only. Every hinged screen or storm-screen door in a dwelling or dwelling unit shall have a self-closing device in good working condition.
(7) Windows. Every uninsulated window opening directly from any dwelling or dwelling unit to the outdoors that may be used for ventilation purposes shall be supplied with a storm-screen unit. Every insulated window shall be provided with a screen only. Each basement or cellar window, when open for ventilation, shall be screened and every other opening to a basement which might provide an entry for rats or other vermin shall be supplied with a screen or other device as to effectively prevent their entrance.
(Ord. 002-2023. Passed 1-3-23.)