(A) The intent and purpose of this Article is to protect the public health, safety and the general welfare of the citizens of the City of Mt. Vernon. These general objectives include, among others, the following specific purposes:
(1) To protect the character and stability of residential areas within the City of Mt. Vernon.
(2) To provide minimum standards for heating and sanitary equipment necessary to the health and safety of occupants of buildings.
(3) To provide facilities for light and ventilation, necessary to health and safety of occupants of buildings.
(4) To prevent additions or alterations to existing dwellings that would be injurious to the life, health, safety or general welfare of the occupants of such dwellings or neighboring properties.
(5) To provide minimum standards for the maintenance of existing residential buildings to prohibit unsuitable residential housing.
(6) To preserve the taxable value of land and buildings throughout the City.
(7) To fix responsibility and duties of owners, operators, agents, and occupants of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses, multiple dwellings, and rooming units unfit for human habitation.
(8) To fix penalties for the violations declared to be remedial and essential to the public interest.
(B) It is the intent of this Article that each provision of this Article shall be liberally constructed to effectuate the purposes as stated above.
(C) Nothing in this Article shall be deemed to abolish or impair existing remedies of the City of Mt. Vernon or its officers or agents relating to the removal or demolition of any buildings which are deemed to be dangerous, unsafe or unsanitary or the abatement of any nuisance.
(Prior Code, Art. 10A, § 10-2)