No person shall occupy as owner, occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit for the purpose of living therein or industrial or commercial structure which does not comply with the following requirements, unless specifically exempt.
(A) Foundations, exterior walls and roofs. The foundation, exterior walls and exterior roof shall be substantially water tight and protected against vermin and rodents and shall be kept in sound condition and repair. The foundation element shall adequately support the building at all points. Every exterior wall shall be free of deterioration, holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timbers and any other condition which might admit rain or dampness to the interior portion of the walls or to the exterior spaces of the dwelling. The roof shall be tight and have no defects which admit rain, and roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rain water from causing dampness in the walls. All exterior wood surfaces, other than decay resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint or other protective covering or treatment. If the exterior surface of such a wood structure is unpainted or determined by the Compliance Official to be paint blistered, the surface shall be painted.
(B) Windows, doors and screens. Every window, exterior door and hatchway shall be substantially tight and shall be kept in sound condition and repair. Every window, other than a fixed window or storm window, shall be capable of being easily opened. Every window, door and frame shall be constructed and maintained in such relation to the adjacent wall construction as to completely exclude rain, wind, vermin and rodents from entering the building. Every window or other device with openings to outdoor space which is used or intended to be used for ventilation shall be supplied with 16-mesh screens during the insect season. Commercial and industrial structures are exempt from the above requirements except windows, doors and screens on these structures shall be kept in good repair.
(C) Floors, interior walls and ceilings. Every floor, interior wall and ceiling of all structures shall be adequately protected against the passage and harborage of vermin and rodents and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Every floor shall be free of loose, warped, protruding or rotted flooring materials. Every interior wall and ceiling of a dwelling, dwelling unit or public space shall be free of holes and large cracks and loose plaster and shall be maintained in a tight weatherproof condition. Plaster, paint and all other surface materials in a dwelling or dwelling unit shall be of such character as to be easily cleanable and shall be reasonably smooth, clean and tight. Toxic paint and materials shall not be used where readily accessible to children. Every toilet room and bathroom floor surface shall be substantially impervious to water and shall be capable of being maintained easily in a clean and sanitary condition.
(D) Rodent-proof. Every dwelling and accessory structure and industrial or commercial structure and their premises upon which they are located shall be maintained in a rodent-free and rodent-proof condition. All openings in the exterior walls, foundations, basements, ground or first floors and roofs which have a one-half inch diameter or larger opening shall be rodent-proofed in an approved manner. Interior floors or basements, cellars and other areas in contact with the soil shall be paved with concrete or other rodent impervious material.
(E) Fence maintenance. All fences supplied by the owner or agent on the premises and all fences erected or caused to be erected by an occupant on the premises shall consist of metal, wood, masonry or other decay resistant material. Fences shall be maintained in good condition both in appearance and structure. Wood material shall be protected against decay by use of paint or other preservatives. (See also section on fences in zoning regulations Chapter 154.)
(F) Accessory structure maintenance. Accessory structures supplied by the owner, agent or tenant occupant on the premises shall be structurally sound and be maintained in good repair and appearance. The exterior of such structures shall be made weather resistant through the use of decay-resistant materials such as paint or other preservatives.
(G) Safe building elements. Every foundation, roof, floor, exterior and interior wall, ceiling, inside and outside stair, every porch and balcony and every appurtenance thereto shall be safe to use and capable of supporting loads that normal use may cause to be placed thereon.
(H) Facilities to function. Every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility and every chimney and flue shall be installed and shall be maintained and shall function effectively in a safe, sound and working condition.
(I) Grading and drainage. Every yard, court, passageway and other portions of a premises shall be graded and drained so as to be free of standing water within six hours after termination of rainfall.
(J) Yard cover. Every yard of a premises shall be provided with adequate lawn or combined ground cover of vegetation, garden, hedges and shrubbery, and such yard shall be maintained consistent with § 152.24.
(`89 Code, § 27.240)