(A) It is declared that the purpose of this chapter is to protect, preserve, and promote the physical and mental health and social well-being of the people, to prevent and control the incidence of communicable diseases, to reduce environmental hazards to health, to regulate privately and publicly owned dwellings for the purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and public health, and to protect the safety of the people and to promote the general welfare by legislation which shall be applicable to all dwellings now in existence or hereafter constructed. It is declared that the purpose of this chapter is to ensure that the quality of housing is adequate for protection of public health, safety, and general welfare, including, as follows:
(1) Establishment of minimum standards for:
(a) Basic equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, and thermal conditions;
(b) Safety from fire and accidents;
(c) The use and location and amount of space for human occupancy; and
(d) An adequate level of maintenance;
(2) The determination of the responsibilities of owners, operators, and occupants of dwellings; and
(3) The provision for the administration and enforcement thereof.
(B) The provisions of this chapter shall apply uniformly to the construction, maintenance, use, and occupancy of all residential buildings and structures, where applicable, and shall apply uniformly to the alteration, repair, equipment, use, occupancy, and maintenance of all existing residential buildings and structures within the jurisdiction of the town, irrespective of when or under what code or codes the buildings or structures were originally constructed or rehabilitated.
(1995 Code, § 151.002)