No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let or sublet to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit designed or intended to be used for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking or eating therein, nor shall any vacant dwelling building be permitted to exist which does not comply with the following requirements.
(A) Foundation. The building foundation walls, piers or other elements shall be maintained in a safe manner and capable of supporting the load which normal use may cause to be placed thereon.
(B) Exterior walls. The exterior walls shall be substantially weathertight, watertight and shall be made impervious to the adverse effects of weather and be maintained in sound condition and good repair.
(C) Roofs. Roofs shall be maintained in a safe manner and have no defects which might admit rain or cause dampness in the walls or interior portion of the building.
(D) Means of egress. Every dwelling unit shall have two safe, unobstructed means of egress with minimum ceiling height of seven feet leading to a safe and open space at ground level.
(E) Stairs. Every inside and outside stair shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon, and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.
(F) Porches and appurtenances. Every outside porch and any appurtenances thereto shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon, and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.
(G) Windows and doors. Every window, exterior door and basement or cellar door and hatchway shall be substantially weathertight, watertight and rodent proof; and shall be kept in sound working condition and good repair.
(H) Windows to be glazed. Window panes or an approved substitute shall be maintained without cracks or holes which allow passage of air.
(I) Window sash. Window sash shall be properly fitted and watertight within the window frame.
(J) Hardware. Every exterior door shall be provided with proper hardware and maintained in good condition.
(K) Door frames. Every exterior door shall fit reasonably well within its frame so as to substantially exclude rain and wind from entering the dwelling building.
(L) Screens.
(1) Every door opening directly from a dwelling unit to outdoor space shall have screens and a self-closing device; and every window or other device with opening to outdoor space, used or intended to be used for ventilation, shall likewise have screens, tight fitting, free of holes and not nailed to window frame or sash.
(2) Dwellings containing central heating furnaces and adequate cooling equipment for mechanically ventilating the building year round are not required to have screens on door or window openings.
(M) Accessory structures. Garages, storage buildings and other accessory structures shall be maintained and kept in good repair and sound structural condition.
(N) Interior floors, walls and partitions. Every floor, wall or partition shall be substantially rodent proof; shall be kept in sound condition and good repair; and shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the load which normal use may cause to be placed thereon.
(O) Ceilings. Every interior ceiling shall be substantially rodent proof; shall be kept in sound condition and good repair; and shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the load which normal use may cause to be placed thereon.
(P) Structural supports. Every structural element of the dwelling unit shall be structurally sound and show no evidence of deterioration which would render it incapable of carrying loads which normal use may cause to be placed thereon.
(Q) Protective railings. Protective railings shall be required on any unenclosed structure over 30 inches above adjacent finish grade or on any steps containing four risers or more. Interior stairs and stairwells more than four risers high shall have handrails located in accordance with requirements of the Building Code. Handrails or protective railings shall be capable of bearing normally imposed loads and be maintained in good condition.
(Ord. passed 11-1-1988) Penalty, see § 150.999