§ 17-24. Minimum standards for light and ventilation.

The Minimum Housing Enforcement Officer or subordinate enforcement officers shall immediately report to the Building Official any presumed violation pertaining to light and ventilation standards as contained in this section.

No person shall let to another for occupancy, any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking, or eating therein, which does not comply with the following requirements:

(1)

(a)

Every habitable room shall have at least one (1) window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors.

(b)

Kitchens and dining rooms will be exempt from the requirements of subsection (1)(a) of this section, providing they meet the requirements in subsection (2).

(c)

If any two (2) habitable rooms, excluding sleeping rooms, are separated by a common wall and either room lacks the required window, but meets all three (3) exceptions listed below, such rooms shall be considered in compliance with this subsection:

(i)

The common wall separating the two (2) rooms must provide an opening equal to fifty percent of the total wall area.

(ii)

If the opening so provided is a doorway, it must be unobstructed and shall provide an opening of not less than one-tenth of the floor area of the interior room and not less than 25 square feet.

(iii)

One (1) of the two (2) rooms must provide the required light and ventilation for the total combined floor area of the two (2) rooms.

(2)

Every habitable room shall be ventilated.

(3)

Every bathroom, shower room and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms contained in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, except that no window or skylight shall be required in adequately ventilated bathrooms, shower rooms and water closet compartments equipped with an approved mechanical ventilating system which automatically becomes operational when the bathroom switch is turned on.

(4)

Every door, window or other device opening to outdoor space and used or intended to be used for ventilation shall be provided with an approved type of screen for protection against mosquitoes, flies and other insects.

(5)

Every opening beneath a dwelling, including basement or cellar windows and crawl space, shall be equipped with an approved type of screening or lattice work to keep out large animals.

(6)

Every habitable room of a dwelling shall contain at least two (2) separate floor or wall-type electrical convenience outlets, or one (1) such convenience outlet and one (1) ceiling-type electric light fixture. Every bathroom, shower room, water closet, compartment and laundry room shall contain at least one (1) properly installed ceiling or wall-type electric light fixture. The switches shall be so located and installed as to avoid the danger of electrical shock.

(7)

Every hall and stairway located in a structure used for human habitation shall be provided with natural light throughout or with properly installed electric lighting facilities which are controlled by the occupants of the structure and available at all times.

(Ord. No. 63-30, § 2.02, 7-16-63; Ord. No. 67-14, §§ 4, 5, 3-7-67; Ord. No. 74-11, § 2, 3-20-74; Ord. No. 78-7, § 1, 2-21-78; Ord. No. 18-18, § 1, 2-6-18)