(a) This chapter is enacted to protect the public health, safety and welfare in all existing structures, residential and commercial in use groups regulated by the Ohio Building Code and the Residential Code of Ohio, and on all existing premises in said use groups, by establishing minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, protection from the elements, life safety, safety from fire and other hazards, and for safe and sanitary maintenance; fixing the responsibility of owners, operators and occupants; regulating the occupancy of existing structures and premises, and providing for administration, enforcement and penalties.
(b) This chapter shall be construed to secure its expressed intent, which is to ensure public health, safety and welfare insofar as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of structures and premises in use groups regulated by the Ohio Building Code and the Residential Code of Ohio. Existing structures and premises that do not comply with these provisions shall be altered or repaired to provide a minimum level of health and safety as required herein unless exempted in subsection (c) below.
(c) Except for safety, sanitation and as otherwise regulated in this Part Thirteen - Building Code, nothing in this chapter shall require any change of construction, size, designated legal use or occupancy of any structures, premises, equipment and facilities which complied with the law or ordinances in force at the time a permit was lawfully granted for the construction of such structures, premises, equipment and facilities or any occupancy or use by the Division of Building Inspection prior to the enactment of this Code.
(Ord. 131-15. Passed 3-31-15.)