A. Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the health, safety, comfort, convenience and aesthetics of Salt Lake City and its present and future inhabitants and businesses, to protect the tax base, and to protect property values within the city, as provided by section 10-9-102, Utah Code Annotated, or its successor section, and other applicable state statutes. This purpose shall be accomplished by regulating the maintenance, repair and remodeling of residential buildings specified in this chapter existing as of the date of enactment hereof by:
1. Establishing minimum housing standards for all buildings or portions thereof used, or designed or intended to be used, for human habitation;
2. Establishing minimum standards for safety from fire and other hazards;
3. Promoting maintenance and improvement of structures by applying standards of this chapter to renovations. This chapter allows distinctions in the application of standards based on the year a structure was built, as long as a reasonable level of safety is achieved;
4. Avoiding the closure or abandonment of housing and the displacement of occupants where such can be done without sacrificing the public health, safety and welfare;
5. Providing for the administration, enforcement and penalties for this chapter.
B. Scope:
1. Application To Existing Buildings: This chapter encompasses fire safety and structural integrity of existing residential buildings. Within the structures, the scope includes equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, heating, sanitation, protection from the elements, space requirements, and for safe and sanitary maintenance.
2. Owner Occupied Versus Rental Properties: Except as specified in subsection B3 of this section, the standards of this chapter apply to the interior and exterior of all buildings, dwelling units and premises which are occupied on a rental basis. For buildings or dwelling units which are occupied solely by the owner and the owner's family, all the requirements defined as imminent danger or hazardous condition situations, and those affecting the exterior of the building and premises shall apply. Other interior standards do not apply to owner occupied dwelling units.
3. Condominiums: Repealed.
4. Application To Remodeling Of Existing Residential Buildings: This chapter shall apply to remodeling or renovation of all residential buildings existing as of the date of enactment hereof as follows:
a. This chapter applies regardless of tenancy, regardless of the valuation of the renovations, and regardless of the date of such remodeling or renovation, unless otherwise noted in this chapter.
b. Those buildings or portions thereof which conform with all applicable laws in effect at the time of their construction or whose fire resistive integrity and fire extinguishing systems have been adequately maintained and improved to accommodate any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy may continue in accordance with the standards in effect at that time. This chapter shall not lessen such requirements for residential buildings which were constructed in compliance with the code in effect at the time of construction.
c. The requirements of this chapter are minimums. During a renovation or remodeling project, whenever conditions exist which allow such work to comply with the standard of the UBC, UPC or UMC these codes shall apply.
d. When a construction standard is omitted from this chapter, the applicable standard shall be the UBC, UMC or UPC in effect at the time the building was constructed.
e. When the purpose of the renovation is to create new dwelling units, the UBC rather than this chapter shall apply.
5. Application To New Construction: From the date of adoption hereof, newly constructed buildings must comply with the currently adopted UBC. All additions to an existing building envelope shall comply with the most recently adopted edition of the UBC.
6. Dangerous Buildings: Residential buildings subject to section 302 of the UCADB shall be governed by the UCADB and not by this chapter. If any conflict exists between this chapter and the UCADB, the UCADB shall control.
7. Change Of Use: Any building undergoing a change which intensifies the use, as defined in the UBC and the uniform code for building conservation, shall comply with the provisions of the UBC.
8. Permits Required: Except as provided in this subsection, no building or structure regulated by this chapter shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, moved, removed, converted, or demolished unless a separate permit for each building or structure has first been obtained from the building official. Except where required by state law, permits are not required for the following:
a. Floor covering installation;
b. Interior and exterior painting;
c. Attaching interior finish wall coverings and similar interior finish work;
d. Replacement of glazing except where safety glazing is required by the UBC;
e. Patching wall surfaces;
f. Installation of countertops and cabinets;
g. Replacement of interior and exterior light fixtures;
h. Replacement of electrical wall outlets and switches;
i. Replacement of kitchen or bathroom sinks, toilets or bidets where the trap and trap arm are not replaced or extended;
j. Replacement of faucets, washers and traps (when the trap is replaced with like installation and the trap arm and the existing vents and drain lines are not disturbed);
k. Repair of irrigation pipelines where the backflow preventers exist or are not being replaced;
l. Replacement of filters, belts and motors in mechanical systems;
m. Installation of battery operated smoke detectors or one 120-volt smoke detector;
n. Replacement of sidewalks on private property;
o. Replacement of ventilation fans;
p. Seasonal weatherization, as long as it does not prevent emergency egress.
C. Violations: It is unlawful for any person to:
1. Erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building or structure or cause or permit the same to be done in violation of this chapter;
2. Fail to obey a notice and order issued pursuant to this chapter;
3. Occupy, or rent for occupancy, a building that has been closed to occupancy;
4. Fail to obey an interpretation, decision or requirement of the housing advisory and appeals board within thirty (30) days, unless otherwise noted. (Ord. 70-09 § 6, 2009: Ord. 74-98 §§ 1, 2, 1998: Ord. 68-96 § 1, 1996: Ord. 55-95 § 4 (Exh. A), 1995)