1. Foundation. The building foundation shall be free from deterioration, maintained in a plumb and safe condition, be capable of supporting the load which normal use may place thereon, be free from open cracks and breaks, and be kept in such a condition so as to prevent the entry of rodents and other pests.

2. Exterior Walls. The exterior walls shall be free from conditions that contribute to the deterioration of the structure or otherwise present a deteriorated or blighted condition. Exterior walls shall be substantially weather tight, weatherproof, free from dry rot and mildew, and shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair so as to prevent infestation. Windows of occupied structures shall not be boarded and glazing in windows and doors shall be properly maintained. Chipping or peeling paint may not exceed twenty-five percent of a surface area of any building component visible from public property. All exterior surfaces other than decay-resistant materials shall be protected from the elements by painting or other protective covering according to manufacturer’s specifications. Chimneys and similar appurtenances shall be structurally safe.

3. Doors. Exterior doors shall be fitted securely in their frames and shall be substantially weather tight with operable locks. Each exterior door shall be equipped with a deadbolt lock designed to be operable from the inside without the need for a key or special knowledge. All deadbolts shall have a minimum throw of one inch. Every screen door used for insect control shall have a self-closing device in good working condition.

4. Windows. Exterior windows shall be fitted securely in their frames and shall be substantially weather tight with operable locks if locks are present. Operable windows within twelve feet above a walking surface below shall be equipped with a window sash locking device designed to be operable from the inside without the need for a key or special knowledge. Window screening, of not less than sixteen mesh per inch, shall be required for ventilation of habitable rooms, food preparation areas, food service areas or any areas where products to be included or utilized in food for human consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged or stored and shall be maintained in good condition.

5. Roofs. Roofs shall be maintained in a safe condition and have no defects which might admit rain or cause dampness in the walls or interior portion of the building. Roofs shall be free from conditions that contribute to the deterioration of the structure or otherwise present a deteriorated or blighted appearance. Broken, rotted, split, curled, or missing roofing material shall not exceed ten square feet of any roof. Canopies and awnings shall be properly anchored and maintained. Roof water shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a public nuisance.

6. Mechanical Equipment. Heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and evaporative cooling equipment, and their mounting apparatuses, shall be maintained in an approved manner, and in a condition free from excessive accumulation of scale, rust, corrosion or mineral deposits. Equipment stands or mounts shall be structurally sound. Unused, deteriorated or unattached heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and mechanical equipment and associated apparatuses shall be removed from the structure. Equipment shrouds, enclosures, and similar protecting housing components integral to a piece of equipment shall be installed, anchored, and properly maintained.

7. Electrical Equipment. All electrical equipment, wiring and appliances shall be installed and maintained in a safe, functional, and approved manner.

8. Plumbing Equipment. All plumbing equipment, piping and fixtures shall be installed and maintained in a safe, sanitary, functional and approved manner.

9. Outdoor Stairs, Porches, Guardrails, Handrails, and Similar Railings. All outdoor stairs, porches, guard and handrails shall be adequate for safety. Every stair and porch shall be maintained in an approved manner, structurally sound and safe condition. The supports for railings, stairs, and porches shall be maintained in an approved manner, structurally sound and safe condition. Every stair and porch, and any appendage thereto, shall be maintained in an approved manner, structurally sound and safe condition, and capable of supporting a load that normal use may place thereon.

1. Existing Buildings. Buildings and portions thereof in existence at the time of the adoption of this chapter are not required to be modified to comply with this section and may have their existing use or occupancy continued provided the construction, use, or occupancy was legal at the time of original construction and further provided the continued use or occupancy is not dangerous to life, health, and safety.

2. Ceiling Heights. Habitable space shall have a ceiling height of not less than seven feet except as otherwise permitted in this section. Kitchens, halls, bathrooms, and toilet compartments may have a ceiling height of not less than seven feet measured to the lowest projection from the ceiling. Where exposed beam ceiling members are spaced at less than forty-eight inches on center, ceiling height shall be measured to the bottom of these members. Where exposed beam ceiling members are spaced at forty-eight inches or more on center, ceiling height shall be measured to the bottom of the deck supported by these members; provided, that the bottom of the members is not less than seven feet above the floor.

If any habitable space has a sloping ceiling, the prescribed ceiling height for the room is required in only one-half the area thereof. No portion of the room measuring less than five feet from the finished floor to the finished ceiling shall be included in any computation of the minimum area thereof. If any room has a furred ceiling, the prescribed ceiling height is required in two-thirds the area thereof, but in no case shall the height of the furred ceiling be less than seven feet.

3. Floor Area. Dwelling units and congregate residences shall have at least one room that shall have not less than one hundred twenty square feet of floor area. Other habitable rooms, except kitchens, shall have an area of not less than seventy square feet.

Exception: Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of an efficiency living unit within an apartment house meeting the following requirements:

4. Width. No habitable room other than a kitchen shall be less than seven feet in any dimension. Kitchens shall have a clear passageway of not less than three feet between counterfronts and appliances or counterfronts and walls. Each water closet shall be located in a clear space not less than thirty inches in width and a clear space in front of the water closet of not less than twenty-four inches shall be provided.

1. General. For the purpose of determining the light or ventilation required by this section, any room may be considered as a portion of an adjoining room when one-half of the area of the common wall is open and unobstructed and provides an opening of not less than one-tenth of the floor area of the interior room or twenty-five square feet, whichever is greater. Exterior openings for natural light or ventilation required by this section shall open directly onto a public way or a yard or court located on the same lot as the building.

Exceptions:

2. Light. Guest rooms and habitable rooms within a dwelling unit or a congregate residence shall be provided with natural light by means of exterior glazed openings with an area of not less than one-tenth of the floor area of such rooms with a minimum of ten square feet of opening area.

3. Ventilation. Guest rooms and habitable rooms within a dwelling unit or congregate residence shall be provided with natural ventilation by means of exterior openings with an area of not less than one-twentieth of the floor area of such rooms with a minimum opening of five square feet of area. Such openings shall be capable of being opened so as to provide ventilation.

Bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundry rooms, and similar rooms shall be provided with natural ventilation by means of exterior openings with an area of not less than one-twentieth of the floor areas of such rooms with a minimum of one and one-half square feet of area. Such openings shall be capable of being opened so as to provide ventilation. In lieu of required exterior openings for natural ventilation in toilet rooms, bathrooms containing a bathtub or shower, or combination thereof, laundry rooms, and similar rooms, a mechanical ventilation system connected directly to the outside capable of providing five air changes per hour shall be provided. The location of the discharged exhaust air shall be at least three feet from any opening into the building.

4. Hallways. All public hallways, stairs, and other paths of exit shall be adequately illuminated at all times in accordance with the building code.

5. Luminaires. Every public hall, interior stairway, toilet room, kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, boiler room, and furnace room shall contain at least one electric luminaire.

1. Dwelling Units, Lodging Houses and Congregate Residences, Dormitories and Fraternity Houses. Dwelling units, lodging houses, and congregate residences, dormitories and fraternity houses shall be provided with a bathroom equipped with facilities consisting of a water closet, lavatory, and either a bathtub or shower, or combination thereof.

2. Kitchen. Each dwelling unit shall be provided with a kitchen. Every kitchen shall be provided with a safe and operational kitchen sink and cooking appliance. If a refrigerator is provided, it must be maintained in a safe and operational condition.

3. Fixtures. All plumbing fixtures shall be connected to a sanitary sewer or to an approved private sewage disposal system. All plumbing fixtures shall be connected to an approved water supply and provided with hot and cold running water necessary for normal operations. All plumbing fixtures shall be listed by an approved listing agency.

4. Water Closet Compartments. Except in dwelling units, walls within two feet of urinals and water closets shall have a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent surface to a height of four feet above the floor.

5. Installation and Maintenance. All sanitary facilities shall be installed and maintained in a safe and sanitary working condition.

6. Disposal of Rubbish and Garbage. All exterior property and premises, and the interior of every structure, shall be free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. Every occupant of a structure shall dispose of garbage and rubbish in a clean and sanitary manner by placing such garbage and rubbish in an approved container or disposal facility. Any accumulated garbage and rubbish shall be placed out for collection for the authorized waste disposal agent of the city at a minimum of one time per week.

1. Heating. Dwelling units, guest rooms, and congregate residences shall be provided with permanently installed heating facilities capable of maintaining a room temperature of sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit (twenty degrees Celsius) at a point three feet (nine hundred fourteen millimeters) above the floor in all habitable rooms. Such facilities shall be installed and maintained in a safe condition. All heating devices or appliances shall be of an approved type and utilized in accordance with their listing. Fuel-burning heaters without vents to the exterior are specifically prohibited.

2. Combustion Air. Rooms and areas containing fuel-burning appliances shall be provided with combustion air as required by the mechanical code.

3. Ducts. Duct systems shall be maintained free of obstructions and leaks and shall be capable of performing the required function.

1. Exits. All buildings or portions thereof shall be provided with properly maintained exits, exit corridors, exit passageways, and appurtenances as required by the building code. Dwelling units and guest rooms shall have access directly to the outside or to an exit corridor or exit passageway.

2. Emergency Egress. Sleeping rooms below the fourth story shall have at least one operable window or exterior door approved for emergency escape or rescue. The window or door shall have the ability to be opened from the inside and any security bars or grills protecting such openings shall comply with subsection W of this section.

3. Interior Doors. Interior doors shall be fitted securely in their frames and shall be in sound condition. Interior door locks shall not require the need for a key or special knowledge. Firewall doors shall be self-closing and self-latching.

1. Habitability and Sanitation. Buildings or portions thereof shall be deemed substandard when any of the following conditions exist:

1. Deteriorated or inadequate foundations incapable of supporting the load which normal use may place thereon.

2. Defective or deteriorated flooring or flooring supports.

3. Flooring or floor supports of insufficient size to carry imposed loads safely.

4. Members of walls, partitions, or other vertical supports that split, list (to lean), or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.

5. Members of walls, partitions, or other vertical supports that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads safely.

6. Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports, or other horizontal members that sag, split, or buckle due to defective material or deterioration.

7. Members of ceilings, roofs, ceiling and roof supports, or other horizontal members that are of insufficient size to carry imposed loads safely.

8. Fireplaces or chimneys that list (to lean), bulge, or settle due to defective material or deterioration.

1. On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.

2. In each room used for sleeping purposes.

3. In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements and cellars but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed in the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level; provided, that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.

Exception: Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in buildings where no construction is taking place, buildings that are not served from a commercial power source and in existing areas of buildings undergoing alterations or repairs that do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space, or basement available which could provide access for building wiring without the removal of interior finishes.