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 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. All pilings shall have adequate ground penetration (100% below the ground penetration in relation to above ground extension, the minimum depth shall be eight feet or equal as approved by the Building Inspector) and shall be free from appreciable decay and shall be properly braced.
(B) Exterior walls. The exterior walls shall be substantially weather-tight, water-tight, and shall be made reasonably 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. A double thickness of exterior roofing materials shall not be allowed. The roof, flashings, exterior walls, basement walls, floors, and all doors and windows exposed to the weather shall be constructed and maintained so as to be weathertight and watertight.
(D) Means of egress. Every dwelling unit shall have two safe, unobstructed means of egress remotely located with minimum ceiling height of seven feet and minimum clear width of three 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. (Minimum dimensions as listed in division (D) of this section).
(F) Porches and appurtenances. Every outside porch and any appurtenance 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 weather-tight, water-tight, and rodent proof; and shall be kept in sound working condition and good repair. No hollow core uninsulated exterior doors will be allowed.
(H) Windows to be glazed. Window panes or an approved substitute shall be maintained without cracks or holes which allow passage of air.
(I) Hardware. Every exterior door shall be provided with proper hardware and maintained in good condition.
(J) 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.
(K) Accessory structures. Garages, storage buildings, and other accessory structures shall be maintained and kept in good repair and sound structural condition, and shall conform to all other applicable standards.
(L) 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.
(M) 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.
(N) Structural supports. Every structural element of the dwelling shall be structurally sound and show no evidence of deterioration which would render it incapable of carrying loads or preventing uplift.
(O) Protective railings. Protective railings shall be required on any unenclosed structure over three inches above adjacent finished grade or on any steps containing two risers or more. Interior stairs and stairwells more than two 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 1-22-77; Am. Ord. 1845, passed 6-22-23) Penalty, see § 152.999