(A) Foundation. Foundations shall conform to the following:
(1) Beneath the building there shall be firm ground that is reasonably dry, properly drained and no water running under the building.
(2) There shall be sound footings, adequate bearings.
(3) There shall be sound piers, no loose mortar or masonry.
(4) There shall be no piers in which the plumb line from the top center falls outside the middle one-third (1/3) of the pier base.
(5) There shall be no isolated solid masonry piers exceeding in height ten (10) times the least dimension of the pier.
(6) There shall be no wood stiff-knee piers.
(7) There shall be masonry underpinning on all dwelling units with ventilation as required by the North Carolina State Building Code.
(B) Floors. Floors shall conform to the following:
(1) There shall be no decayed, termite damaged, fire-damaged, broken, overloaded or sagging sills.
(2) Sills shall be properly supported and reasonably level.
(3) Joists shall not be overloaded, sagging or broken, and shall be structurally sound and not likely to cause structural weakness in the future.
(4) Maximum spans for floor joists and sills, providing they show no signs of being weak or overloaded, shall comply with the requirements of the North Carolina State Building Code.
(5) Flooring shall be weather tight without holes or excessive cracks, which permit air to penetrate rooms.
(6) Flooring shall be reasonably smooth and not decayed, fire-damaged or worn through.
(7) There shall be no loose flooring.
(8) Floors shall be reasonably level.
(9) There shall be no use of the ground for floors, or wood floors on the ground.
(10) The flooring in each room shall consist of the same or similar material; and where covering or finishing is provided, such covering or finishing shall be reasonably smooth and not worn through.
(11) Bath, kitchen and washer/dryer area floors shall have water resistant floor coverings.
(C) Walls, exterior. Exterior walls shall conform to the following:
(1) There shall be no wall in which the plumb line from the top center of studs falls outside the base plate at any point along the wall.
(2) Maximum spacing for studding shall conform to the specifications of the North Carolina State Building Code, provided the spacing for studding shall not shows signs of being weak or overloaded. Otherwise, lesser spacing for studding shall be required.
(3) Studs shall be structurally sound and not likely to cause structural weakness in the future.
(4) There shall be no broken or cracked structural members.
(5) All siding shall be weather tight, with no holes or excessive cracks or decayed, rotted, deteriorated or damaged boards, which permit air to penetrate rooms or otherwise admit rodents.
(6) There shall be no loose siding.
(7) There shall be no deterioration because of lack of preventive maintenance consisting of painting, waterproofing, and repair.
(D) Walls, interior. Interior walls shall conform to the following:
(1) Interior finish shall be free of holes and excessive cracks, which permit air to penetrate rooms, and if painted or papered, shall be free of chips or excessive peeling.
(2) There shall be no walls in which the plumb line from the top center of studs falls outside the base plate at any point along the wall.
(3) There shall be no loose plaster, loose boards, or other loose wall materials.
(4) There shall be no cardboard, newspaper or highly combustible or improper wall finish; and all wall materials shall be of the same or similar quality and material.
(5) Maximum spacing for studding shall conform to the specifications of the North Carolina Residential Building Code, provided the studding does not show signs of being weak or overloaded. Otherwise, lesser spacing for studding shall be required.
(6) Studs shall be structurally sound and not likely to cause structural weakness in the future.
(7) There shall be no broken or cracked studs or other structural members.
(8) There shall be no rotted, deteriorated or damaged walls and all walls shall be free from holes or cracks, which might admit rodents.
(9) There shall be headers above all doors and windows.
(E) Ceilings. Ceilings shall conform to the following:
(1) There shall be no joists, which are decayed, broken, sagging, or improperly supported at the ends.
(2) Maximum spacing for ceiling joists shall conform to the specifications of the North Carolina Residential Building Code provided the ceiling joists do not show signs of being weak or overloaded. Otherwise, lesser spacing for ceiling joists shall be required.
(3) Maximum spans for ceiling joists shall comply with the specifications of the North Carolina State Building Code, provided the ceiling joists do not show signs of being weak or overloaded. Otherwise, lesser spans for ceiling joists shall be required.
(4) There shall be no holes or excessive cracks, which permit air and dust to penetrate rooms.
(5) There shall be no loose plaster, boards, gypsum wallboard, or other ceiling finishes.
(6) There shall be no cardboard, newspaper, highly combustible or improper ceiling finishes; and all ceiling materials shall be of the same or similar quality and material.
(7) Ceiling joists shall be structurally sound and not likely to cause structural weakness in the future.
(F) Roofs. Roofs shall conform to the following:
(1) There shall be no rafters, which are decayed, broken, or improperly supported at the ends.
(2) No rafters shall be seriously damaged by fire.
(3) Rafters shall be properly braced and tied four (4) feet on center maximum.
(4) The attic shall be ventilated as required by the North Carolina State Building Code.
(5) Sheathing shall not be loose and shall be structurally sound and not likely to cause structural weakness in the future.
(6) There shall be no loose roof covering, no holes, and no leaks causing damage to the structure or rooms.
(7) There shall be a minimum of Class " C" roof covering.
(8) There shall be proper flashing at walls or chimneys, so as to be weathertight and watertight.
(G) Porches. Porches shall conform to the following:
(1) The floor, ceiling, and roof shall be equal to requirements set forth above, except sills, joists, and floors need not be level if providing drainage of floors; floors need not be weather tight; the ceiling height may be a minimum of seven (7) feet; and the attic need not be vented.
(2) Every porch, terrace or entrance platform thirty (30) inches or more above adjacent finished grade shall be equipped with railings or guards not less than thirty-six (36) inches high, unless other effective barriers provide adequate safety.
(3) If post and railings are provided, they shall be structurally sound and not likely to cause structural weakness in the future.
(4) Porches shall be maintained in such condition that they will not fail or collapse.
(H) Stairs and steps. Stairs and steps shall conform to the following:
(1) Stairs and steps shall be free of holes, grooves, and cracks large enough to constitute accident hazards.
(2) Steps shall be maintained in such condition that they will not fail or collapse.
(3) Stairwells and flights of stairs more than thirty (30) inches high shall have rails not less than thirty (30) to thirty-eight (38) inches measured vertically from the nose of the treads to the top of the rail.
(4) Every rail shall be firmly fastened and maintained in good condition.
(5) No flight of stairs shall be settled more than one inch out of its intended position or pulled away from supporting or adjacent structures.
(6) Supports shall not sag and shall be structurally sound and not likely to cause structural weakness in the future.
(7) Every stair riser shall be reasonably uniform in height, and treads shall be sound and securely fastened in position and strong enough to bear a concentrated load of at least three hundred (300) pounds without danger of breaking through.
(8) Stairs and steps shall conform to the specifications of the North Carolina State Building Code.
(I) Egress. All dwellings shall contain adequate facilities for egress in case of fire or panic.
(J) Chimneys. There shall be no chimneys or parts thereof which are defective, deteriorated or in danger of falling, or in such condition or location as to constitute a fire hazard.
(K) Accessory buildings. All accessory buildings and structures, including detached garages, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair or shall be razed to grade level and the debris therefrom removed from the premises.
(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-2001-25, passed 6-19-01; Am. Ord. O-2022-54, passed 7-12-22) Penalty, see § 10.99