The following shall be the minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities in dwellings and dwelling units.
(A) Plumbing system.
(1) Each dwelling unit shall be connected to a potable water supply and to the public sewer or other approved sewage disposal system.
(2) Each dwelling unit shall contain not less than a kitchen sink, lavatory, tub or shower, water closet and adequate supply of both cold water and hot water. All water shall be supplied through an approved pipe distribution system connected to a potable water supply.
(3) All plumbing fixtures shall meet the standards of the City Plumbing Code and shall be maintained in a state of good repair and in good working order.
(4) All required plumbing fixtures shall be located within the dwelling unit and be accessible to the occupants thereof. The water closet and tub or shower shall be located in a room or rooms affording privacy to the user.
(5) Water heating facilities: every dwelling unit shall have water heating facilities which are properly installed and maintained in a safe and good working condition and are capable of heating water to such a temperature as to permit an adequate amount of water to be drawn at every required kitchen sink, lavatory basin, bathtub or shower at a temperature of not less than 120ºF (49ºC). Such water heating facilities shall be capable of meeting the requirements of NC Plumbing Code Chapter 5 when the dwelling or dwelling unit heating facilities required under the provisions of this code are not in operation. Apartment houses may use a centralized water heating facility capable of heating an adequate amount of water as required by the Standard Plumbing Code to not less than 120ºF (49ºC).
(B) Heating system. Every dwelling and dwelling unit shall have facilities for providing heat in accordance with the following.
(1) Central and electric heating systems. Every central or electric heating system shall be of sufficient capacity to heat all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closet compartments in every dwelling unit to which it is connected with a minimum temperature of 70°F measured at a point three feet above the floor with an outside temperature of 20°F.
(2) Other heating facilities. Where a central or electric heating system is not provided, each dwelling and dwelling unit shall be provided with sufficient fireplaces, chimneys, flues or gas vents, or other facilities to which heating appliances may be connected to heat all habitable rooms with a minimum temperature of 70°F measured three feet above the floor with an outside temperature of 20°F.
(3) Gas heaters. Gas heaters listed for unvented use shall be permitted provided the total input rating of the heaters is less than 30 BTU per hour per cubic foot (314 W/m2) of room content. Such heaters shall be prohibited in bedrooms.
(4) Liquid fueled unvented heating appliances. The use of any liquid fueled unvented heating appliance shall be permitted in one- and two-family residences only, providing such appliance is tested and listed by an approved laboratory according to requirements of UL 647 (1984) and providing the fuel is stored in containers meeting ASTM ES-8 for kerosene containers.
(C) Electrical system.
(1) Dwellings and dwelling units. Every dwelling and dwelling unit shall be wired for electric lights and convenience receptacles. Every habitable room shall contain at least two floor or wall-type electric convenience receptacles, connected in such manner as determined by the State Electrical Code. There shall be installed in every bathroom, water closet room, laundry room and furnace room at least one supplied ceiling or wall-type electric light fixture. In the event wall or ceiling light fixtures are not provided in any habitable room, then each habitable room shall contain at least three floor or wall-type electric convenience receptacles.
(2) Public halls and stairways. Every public hall and stairway in every multiple dwelling shall be adequately lighted by electric lights at all times when natural daylight is not sufficient.
(3) Fixtures, receptacles, equipment and wiring. All fixtures, receptacles, equipment and wiring shall be maintained in a state of good repair, safe, capable of being used and installed in accordance with the State Electrical Code.
(4) Smoke detector systems. Every dwelling unit shall be provided with an approved listed smoke detector, installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and listing. When activated, the detector shall provide an audible alarm. The detector shall be tested in accordance with and meet the requirements of UL 217 (1989), Single and Multiple Station Smoke Detectors.
(5) Electric lights and outlets. Where there is electric service available to the building structure, every habitable room or space shall contain at least two separate and remote receptacle outlets. Bedrooms shall have, in addition, at least one wall switch controlled lighting outlet. In kitchens, two separate and remote receptacle outlets shall be provided (receptacles rendered inaccessible by appliances fastened in place or by appliances occupying dedicated space shall not be considered as these required outlets) and a wall or ceiling lighting outlet controlled by a wall switch shall be provided. Every hall, water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room or furnace room shall contain at least one ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted lighting outlet. In bathrooms, the lighting outlet shall be controlled by a wall switch. In addition to the light outlet in every bathroom and laundry room, there shall be provided at least one receptacle outlet. Any new bathroom receptacle outlet shall have ground fault circuit interrupter protection.
(2009 Code, § 153.12) (Ord. passed 6-11-2002; Ord. 2021-Z-19, passed 6-22-2021) Penalty, see §
153.99