(a) No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling, rooming house, dwelling unit, or rooming unit which does not comply with the following minimum standards for ventilation, light, and heating:
(1) Windows. Every habitable room shall have at least one window facing directly to the outdoors, the minimum total window area for every habitable room shall be not less than one-tenth of the floor area of such room nor less than ten square feet, whichever is greater. Wherever walls or other portions or structures face a window of any such room and such light obstruction structures are located less than three feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area. Whenever the only window in a room is a skylight type window in the top of such room, the total window area of such skylight shall equal at least fifteen percent (15%) of the total floor area of such room.
(2) Electric lighting. Every habitable room shall contain at least two separate floor or wall-type electric convenience outlets, or one such convenience outlet and one supplied ceiling type electric light fixture, and every laundry room, furnace room, and public hall shall contain at least one supplied ceiling or wall-type electric light fixture. Every such outlet and fixture shall be in working condition and installed in accordance with the requirements of the City Building Code.
(3) Lighting of public halls. Every public hall and stairway in every multiple dwelling and rooming house shall be adequately lighted with lighting facilities sufficient to provide at least one foot candle of light at the floor or stair tread level at all times. Every public hall and stairway in a structure containing not more than four dwelling units may be supplied with conveniently located light switches controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on when needed instead of full-time lighting.
(4) Lighting of bathrooms. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall conform to the electric lighting requirements for habitable rooms.
(5) Ventilation. Every habitable room shall have a least one window or skylight opening directly to the outdoors which can easily be opened, or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. The total of openable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to one-half of the minimum total window area required in subsection (a)(1) hereof, except where there is supplied some other device affording adequate ventilation and in accordance with the City Building Code.
(6) Ventilation of bathrooms. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms contained in subsections (a)(1), (2) and (5) hereof, except where the bathroom or water closet compartment is adequately ventilated by a ventilation system which is kept in continuous or automatic operation and in accordance with the City Building Code.
(7) Screening. Every door opening directly from a dwelling unit to outdoor space shall have supplied screens and self-closing device; and every window or other device with openings to outdoor space, used for ventilation shall likewise be supplied with screens. Screens shall not be required on windows in rooms above the fourth story. All screens shall not be less than number 16 wire mesh.
(8) Screens on basement windows. Every basement or cellar window used for or intended to be used for ventilation, and every other opening to a basement which might provide an entry for rodents, shall be supplied with a screen or such device as will effectively prevent their entrance.
(9) Heating. Every dwelling shall have heating facilities which are properly installed, maintained in good working condition and are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closet compartments in every dwelling unit located therein to a temperature of at least 68ºF at a distance of three feet above floor level, when the outside temperature is -10ºF. Such facilities shall be installed and maintained in a safe condition and in accordance with the City Building Code and all other applicable laws. No unvented or open flame heater shall be permitted. All heating devices or appliances shall be of an approved type.
(Ord. 99-9773. Passed 3-12-99.)