Sec. 518.419. - Foundation, walls and roof.

Every property shall have a foundation, floor, enclosing walls and roof, all soundly constructed. Every foundation, exterior wall, roof and other exterior surfaces shall be maintained in a good state of repair and shall be kept in such condition as to exclude rodents and rain or dampness. (a) Foundations. The foundation elements shall adequately support the building at all points. (b) Exterior walls. Every exterior wall shall be free of holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timbers and any other condition which might admit rodents, rain or dampness to the interior portions of the walls or to the occupied spaces of the property. (c) Roof. The roof shall be structurally sound and tight and shall have no defects which might admit rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rain water from causing dampness in the walls or interior portion of the building. Tarpaulin or other similar temporary coverings may be used to provide temporary weatherization of a structure for a time period not to exceed 30 days, except during times of a natural disaster as declared by any local, State or federal government or during an emergency as declared by the Chief. A tarpaulin that is used after a declared natural disaster or emergency shall be allowed to remain in place for a period not to exceed six months, if such tarpaulin is maintained in good condition. The Chief may approve one six-month extension upon a showing of good cause. (d) Stairs and porches. Every outside stair, every porch and every appurtenance attached thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the loads to which it is subjected and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. (e) Handrails. Structurally sound handrails shall be provided on steps containing five risers or more. If the steps are not enclosed, handrails and balusters spaced approximately six inches apart shall be provided. Porches or balconies located more than three feet higher than the adjacent area shall have structurally sound protective handrails approximately 36 inches high and, if the porch or balcony is unenclosed, balusters spaced approximately six inches apart shall also be provided. Alternate systems providing at least the same degree of protection, if approved by the Chief, shall be acceptable. (f) Windows, doors and hatchways. Every window, exterior door and hatchway or similar device shall be rodent proof and reasonably watertight and weather tight, and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. (1) Windows to be glazed. Every window sash shall be fully supplied with securely fitting glass window panes or an approved substitute which are without open cracks or holes. (2) Windows to be tight. Every window sash shall be in good condition and fit reasonably tightly within its frame. (3) Windows to be openable. Every window required for ventilation by this Chapter shall be capable of being easily opened and held in position by window hardware. (4) Door and door hardware. Every exterior door, door hinge and door latch shall be maintained in good condition. (5) Doors to fit in frame. All exterior doors, including swinging, sliding, and folding shall be constructed so that the space between the lower edge of the door and the threshold shall not exceed ⅜ of an inch and so that the space between Sections of folding and sliding doors, when closed, shall not exceed ⅜ of an inch. Every exterior door, when closed, shall fit reasonably well within its frame. (6) Window and door frames to fit in wall. Every window, door and frame shall be constructed and maintained in such relation to the adjacent wall construction so as to exclude rain as completely as reasonably possible and to substantially exclude wind from entering the dwelling. (7) Basement hatchways. Every basement hatchway shall be so constructed and maintained as to prevent the entrance of rodents, rain and surface drainage water into the property. (8) Exit doors. Every door available as an exit shall be provided with a locking device and shall be capable of being opened from the inside easily. (9) Screening. Guards and screens shall be supplied for protection against rodents and insects in accordance with the following requirements: (i) Every basement or cellar window which is openable shall be supplied with erosion-resistant, rodent proof shields of not less than N°22 U.S. gauge perforated steel sheets, N° B&S gauge aluminum or N°16 U.S. gauge expanded metal or wire mesh screens, with not more than ½-inch mesh openings; or with other material affording equivalent protection against the entry of rodents, including storm windows. (ii) Every window or other outside opening used for ventilation purposes shall be supplied with a screen of not less than 16 mesh an inch on a removable frame. Buildings containing air conditioning equipment which is capable of adequately cooling and ventilating the building are not required to have screens on windows or other openings used for ventilation. (iii) Every door opening of an apartment, apartment house, multiple dwelling, dwelling unit within a multiple dwelling, multifamily residential building or structure, rooming house, or rooming unit, which opens directly to the exterior shall be supplied with a self-closing screen door with screens of not less than 16 mesh an inch as protection against mosquitoes, flies, and other insects. Screens on said exterior doors shall be stretched and fitted and maintained without open rips or tears; provided however, there shall be no obligation to replace said screens more often than once a year. Dwelling units within the above described buildings equipped with functional central air conditioning which is capable of adequately cooling and ventilating the dwelling unit are not required to have self-closing screen doors on the door openings to the exterior. This subparagraph shall take effect upon the Effective Date of Ordinance 2017-261-E; provided however, a landlord may delay installation of the door screens pursuant to this subparagraph until expiration of a current lease, provided that in all cases the installation shall occur before June 1, 2018. (g) Protective treatment. All unprotected exterior wood and metal surfaces, other than decay-resistant woods and noncorrosive metals, shall be reasonably protected from the elements and decay. (h) Reserved. (i) Structural members. The supporting structural members of every property shall be maintained in a structurally sound condition, showing no evidence of deterioration or damage which would render them incapable of carrying the loads imposed upon them. (j) Garbage and rubbish storage facilities. Every property shall be supplied with approved containers and covers for storage of garbage and rubbish. The owner, occupant, operator or agent in control of the property shall be responsible for the removal of garbage and rubbish, as provided in this Chapter. (k) Means of egress. Every structure shall have an approved means of egress, with minimum head room of six feet, six inches, leading to a safe and open space at ground level. Every story above the second story shall have not less than two safe, unobstructed means of egress from each story, appropriately marked, leading to a safe and open space at ground level. (l) Light and ventilation—minimum requirements. No person shall occupy or let to another for occupancy a structure which does not comply with the requirements of this Chapter with respect to light and ventilation. (1) Natural light and ventilation. Except as provided in subsection (l)(2) of this Section, every habitable room shall be provided with natural light and ventilation by one or more windows facing directly to the outdoors. The aggregate area of approved glazing materials in the windows and skylights shall be equal to not less than ten percent of the floor area of the room served thereby and, where the only provision for natural light and ventilation is by a skylight, the glazed area of the skylight shall be equal to not less than 15 percent of the floor area of the room served thereby. Whenever walls or other portions of structures face a window of the room and the light-obstructing structures are located less than five feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, the obstructed window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum window area. Windows and skylights required for natural light and ventilation shall have a minimum aggregate openable area of not less than 45 percent of the required aggregate window area. (2) Alcoves and artificial light and mechanical ventilation. (i) An alcove opening off a habitable room shall not be required to be separately lighted and ventilated if the opening between the main room and the alcove has an area equal to not less than 50 percent of the floor area of the alcove and the floor area of the alcove is added to that of the main room to determine the total window area required for the main room. (ii) Natural light and ventilation shall not be required in rooms equipped with artificial lighting by electricity and an approved year-round mechanical ventilating system. (3) Bathroom. Every bathroom shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for other rooms, except that no window or skylight shall be required in bathrooms equipped with an approved mechanical ventilation system and artificial lighting. (Ord. 96-458-297, § 1; Ord. No. 2003-620-E, § 4; Ord. 2015-693-E , § 7; Ord. No. 2017-261-E , § 1)