(A) Every dwelling and dwelling unit used as a human habitation, or held out for use as a human habitation, shall comply with the minimum standards of fitness and the requirements of this chapter. No person shall occupy as owner, occupant, or let to another for occupancy or use as a human habitation, any dwellings or dwelling units which do not comply with the minimum standards of fitness for human habitation and the requirements of this chapter. All work shall be done in a workmanlike manner.
(B) The Code Enforcement Officer shall determine that a dwelling is unfit for human habitation if he finds that any one (1) of the following conditions exist in such dwelling:
(1) Interior walls or vertical studs, which seriously list, lean or buckle to such an extent as to render the dwelling unsafe.
(2) Supporting member or members that show thirty-three (33) percent or more damage or deterioration, or non-supporting, enclosing or outside walls or covering that shows fifty (50) percent or more of damage or deterioration.
(3) Floors or roofs which have improperly distributed loads, which are overloaded, or which have insufficient strength to be reasonably safe for the purpose used.
(4) Such damage by fire, wind or other causes as to render the dwelling unsafe.
(5) Dilapidation, decay, unsanitary conditions or disrepair that is dangerous to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants or other people in the city.
(6) Inadequate facilities for egress in case of fire or panic.
(7) Defects significantly increasing the hazards of fire, accident or other calamities.
(8) Lack of adequate ventilation, light, heating or sanitary facilities to such extent as to endanger the health, safety or general welfare of the occupants or other residents of the city.
(9) Lack of proper electrical, heating or plumbing facilities required by this chapter which constitutes a definite health or safety hazard.
(10) Lack of connection to a potable water supply and/or to the public sewer or other approved sewage disposal system, the lack of either one of which renders a dwelling unfit for human habitation. For the purposes of this standard, a dwelling is not connected to a potable water supply if the water supply has been “cut off” because of nonpayment of the water bill or otherwise or if the system for any reason is not receiving a flow of potable water to the tap.
(C) In addition to the ten (10) conditions stated above, any one of which render a dwelling unfit for human habitation, the Code Enforcement Officer shall determine that a dwelling is unfit for human habitation if he finds that a dwelling fails to fully comply with seven (7) or more of the following enumerated standards of dwelling fitness.
(Ord. passed 2-18-92; Am. Ord. O-1999-37, passed 6-15-99; Am. Ord. O-1999-61, passed 10-5-99; Am. Ord. O-2022-54, passed 7-12-22)