Loading...
The Uniform Housing Code, 1985 edition, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, is hereby adopted by reference as though set forth verbatim herein. One copy of the code shall be marked “CITY OF ST. JAMES - OFFICIAL COPY”, and kept on file in the office of the City Clerk-Treasurer, and open to inspection, and use, by the public.
(Prior Code, § 4.20) (Ord. 88, second series, passed 7-5-1988)
It is unlawful for any person, after the effective date of this section, to construct a basement house for dwelling purposes.
(Prior Code, § 4.30) (Ord. 117, passed 1-19-1993)
Cross-reference:
Basements not permissible for living, see § 151.33
(A) It shall be the duty of the owner, or owners, of any building, or buildings, in the city and fronting upon any street or avenue therein, to place, and keep, in a conspicuous place on the front of the building, or buildings, the proper house number, or house numbers, as assigned by the City Clerk-Treasurer. The number, or numbers, must be standard Arabic numerals (numbers shall not be written out); in a color distinguishable from its background; at least four inches in height, unless street numbers posted prior to the effective date of this section that were in compliance with previous ordinance requirements as to numeral height will be considered to remain in compliance until they are removed for any reason, including maintenance or replacement; and street numbers that are constructed of laser-cut masonry may be allowed at the height of the cut brick, with a minimum height of three inches. Numbers must be free, and clear, of any obstructions hindering clear visibility.
(B) The Code Enforcement Officer, or his or her authorized representative, shall be enforced with the intent to ensure that each residential, commercial, or industrial structure is clearly identified by its assigned street address in order to enable emergency, and other public service, personnel to promptly identify same at all times. Prior to the issuance of any citations for violations of this section, the Enforcement Officer shall deliver a written warning, either in person or by first class mail, which shall describe the violation, and direct the correction of the violation within ten business days of the written notice. Thereafter, if subsequent inspection reveals the violation has not been corrected, then the Enforcement Officer shall issue a citation for the violation.
(C) A violation of this section shall be a petty misdemeanor.
(Ord. 23, third series, passed 9-20-2011)
MINIMUM MAINTENANCE AND OCCUPANCY STANDARDS
(A) The purpose of this subchapter is to protect the public health, safety, and the general welfare of the people of the city. The general objectives include, among others, the following:
(1) To protect the character, and stability, of all buildings and property within the city;
(2) To correct, and prevent, conditions that adversely affect, or are likely to adversely affect, the life, safety, general welfare, and health, including the physical, mental, and social well-being of persons occupying buildings within the city;
(3) To provide minimum standards for cooking, heating, and sanitary equipment necessary to the health, and safety, of occupants of buildings;
(4) To provide minimum standards for light and ventilation necessary to health and safety;
(5) To prevent the overcrowding of dwellings by providing space standards per occupant for each dwelling;
(6) To provide minimum standards for the maintenance of existing buildings, and to thus prevent slums and blight; and
(7) To preserve the value of land and buildings throughout the city.
(B) With respect to rental disputes, and except as otherwise specifically provided by the terms of this section, it is not the intention of the Council to intrude upon the fair, and accepted, contractual relationship between tenant and landlord. The Council does not intend to intervene as an advocate of either party, nor to act as an arbiter, nor to be receptive to complaints for tenant or landlord which are not specifically, and clearly, relevant to the provisions of this section. In the absence of relevancy with regard to rental disputes, it is intended that the contracting parties exercise the legal sanctions as are available to them without the intervention of city government. Neither, in enacting this section, is it the intention of the Council to interfere, or permit interference, with legal rights to personal privacy.
(Prior Code, § 4.21)
For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates, or requires, a different meaning.
ACCESSORY BUILDING. A structure subordinate to the main, or principal, building which is not authorized, nor used, for living or sleeping by human occupants, and which is located on the premises.
APPROVED. Acceptable to this jurisdiction.
BUILDING. Any structure used, or intended, for supporting, or sheltering, any use or occupancy.
COMPLIANCE OFFICER. The Building Official, Code Enforcement Officer, or Police Chief.
DWELLING. A building, or portion thereof, designed, or used, predominantly for residential occupancy of a continued nature, including one-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and multiple family dwellings, but not including hotels and motels.
DWELLING UNIT. A single residential accommodation which is arranged, designed, used, or if vacant, intended for use exclusively as a domicile for one family. Where a private garage is structurally attached, it shall be considered as part of the building in which the DWELLING UNIT is located.
FAMILY. One, or more, persons related to the other by blood, marriage, or adoption, or a group of not more than four persons not all so related, maintaining a common household in a dwelling unit, and using common cooking and kitchen facilities. Group or foster care of not more than six wards, or clients, by an authorized person, or persons, related by blood, marriage, or adoption, together with their domestic servants or gratuitous guests, all maintaining a common household in a dwelling unit approved, and certified, by the appropriate public agency.
FLUSH WATER CLOSET. An approved toilet system with a bowl and trap made in one piece connected to the city water and sewer system.
GARBAGE. Putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food.
HABITABLE BUILDING. Any building, or part thereof, that meets minimum standards for use as a home, or place of abode, by one, or more, persons.
HABITABLE ROOM. A room, or enclosed floor space, used, or intended to be used, for living, sleeping, cooking, or eating purposes, excluding bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundries, furnace rooms, unfinished basements (those without required ventilation, required electrical outlets, and required exit facilities), pantries, utility rooms of less than 50 square feet of floor space, foyers, communicating corridors, stairways, closets, storage spaces and workshops, hobby and recreation areas in parts of the structure below ground level, or in attics.
HEATED WATER. Water heated to a temperature of not less than 120°F, or lesser temperature required by a government authority, measured at the faucet outlet.
KITCHEN. A space which contains a sink with counter working space, adequate space for installing cooking and refrigeration equipment, and adequate space for storage of cooking utensils.
MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING. A dwelling, or portion thereof, containing three, or more, dwelling units.
NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDING. All other buildings, or structures, other than dwellings or dwelling units.
OCCUPANT. Any person (including owner or operator) occupying any structure, building, or part thereof, dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, or premises.
PERMISSIBLE OCCUPANT LOAD. The maximum number of persons permitted to occupy a building, or space within a building.
REFUSE. All putrescible, and non-putrescible, waste solids, including garbage and rubbish.
REPAIR. To restore to a sound, and acceptable, state of operation, serviceability, or appearance.
RODENT HARBORAGE. Any place where rodents can live, nest, or seek shelter.
ROOMING UNIT. Any room, or group of rooms, forming a single habitable unit used for living or sleeping, but not for cooking and eating purposes.
SAFETY. The condition of being reasonably free from danger and hazards which may cause accidents and diseases.
STRUCTURE. That which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up, or composed of, parts joined together in some definite manner.
SUBSTANDARD BUILDING. Any dwelling which does not conform to the minimum standards established by the city code.
(Prior Code, § 4.21)
Loading...