Chapter 3

General Requirements

 


Section 301

General

301.1 Scope.  The provisions of this chapter shall govern the minimum conditions and the responsibilities of persons for maintenance of structures, equipment and exterior property.

301.2 Responsibility.  The owner of the premises shall maintain the structure and exterior property in compliance with theses requirements, except as otherwise provided for in this code. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy premises which are not in a sanitary and safe condition and which do not comply with the requirements of this chapter. Occupants of a dwelling unit are responsible for keeping in a clean, sanitary and safe condition that part of the dwelling unit or premises which they occupy and control.

301.3 Vacant Structures and Land.  All vacant structures and premises thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause a blighting problem of adversely affect the public health or safety.

Section 302

Exterior Property Areas

302.1 Sanitation.  All exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. The occupant shall keep that part of the exterior property which such occupant occupies or controls in a clean and sanitary condition.

302.2 Grading and Drainage. All premises shall be graded and maintained to prevent the erosion of soil and to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon, or within any structure located thereon.

Exception: Approved retention areas and reservoirs.

302.3 Sidewalks and Driveways. All sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces and similar area shall be kept in a proper state of repair, and maintained free from hazardous conditions.

302.4 Weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches (254mm). All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.

302.5 Rodent Harborage. All structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Where rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes which will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to eliminate rodent harborage and prevent reinfestation.

302.6 Exhaust vents. Pipes, ducts, conductors, fans or blowers shall not discharge gases, steam, vapor, hot air, grease, smoke, odors or other gaseous or particulate wastes directly upon abutting or adjacent public or private property or that of another tenant.

 

302.7 Accessory structures. All accessory structures, including detached garages, fences and walls, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.

        302.7.1 Gates. Gates which are required to be self-closing and self-latching in accordance with the International Building Code shall be maintained such that the gate will positively close and latch when released from a still position of 6 inches (152mm) from the gatepost.

        302.7.2 Swimming pools. Swimming pools shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, and in good repair.

302.8 Motor vehicles. Except as provided for in other regulations, no inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicle shall be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and no vehicle shall at anytime be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. Painting of vehicles is prohibited unless conducted inside an approved spray booth.

        Exception: A vehicle of any type is permitted to undergo major overhaul, including body work, provided that such work is performed inside a structure or similarly enclosed area designed and approved for such purposes.

302.9 Defacement of property. No person shall willfully or wantonly damage, mutilate or deface any exterior surface of any structure or building on any private or public property by placing thereon any marking, carving or graffiti.

        It shall be the responsibility of the owner to restore said surface to an approved state of maintenance and repair.

 

Section 303

Exterior Structure

303.1 General. The exterior of a structure shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as not to pose a threat to the public health, safety or welfare.

303.2 Protective treatment.  All exterior surfaces, including but not limited to, doors, door and window frames, cornices, porches, trim, balconies, decks and fences shall be maintained in good condition. Exterior wood surfaces, other than decay resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by painting or other protective coverings or treatment. Peeling, flaking and chipping paint shall be eliminated and surfaces repainted. All siding and masonry joints as well as those between the building envelope and the perimeter of windows, doors, and skylights shall be maintained weather resistant and water tight. All metal surfaces subject to rust and corrosion shall be coated to inhibit such rust and corrosion and all surfaces with rust or corrosion shall be stabilized and coated to inhibit future rust and corrosion. Oxidation stains shall be removed from exterior surfaces. Surfaces designed for stabilization by oxidation are exempt form this requirement.

 

 

 

[F] 303.3 – 304.4                                                                                                                               

[F] 303.3 Premises identification. Buildings shall have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible form the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inches (12.7mm).

303.4 Structure members. All structural members shall be maintained free from deterioration, and shall be capable of safely supporting the imposed dead and live loads.

303.5 Foundation walls. All foundation walls shall be maintained plumb and free from open cracks and breaks, and shall be kept in such condition so as to prevent the entry of rodents and other pests.

303.6 Exterior walls. All exterior walls shall be free from holes, breaks, and loose or rotting materials; and maintained weatherproof and properly surface coated where required to prevent deterioration.

303.7 Roofs and Drainage. The roof and flashing shall be sound, tight and not have defects that admit rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior portion of the structure. Roof drains, gutters and downspouts shall be maintained in good repair and free from obstructions. Roof water shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a public nuisance.

303.8 Decorative features. All cornices, belt courses, corbels, terra cotta trim, wall facings and similar decorative features shall be maintained in good repair with proper anchorage and in a safe condition.

303.9 Overhand extensions. All overhang extensions including, but not limited to canopies, marquees, signs, metal awnings, fire escapes, standpipes, and exhaust ducts shall be maintained in good repair and be properly anchored so as to be kept in a sound condition. When required, all exposed surfaces of metal or wood shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather-coating materials, such as paint or similar surface treatment.

303.10 Stairways, Decks, Porches, and Balconies. Every exterior stairway, deck, porch, and balcony, and all appurtenances attached thereto, shall be maintained structurally sound, in good repair, with proper anchorage and capable of supporting the imposed loads.

303.11 Chimneys and Towers. All chimneys, cooling towers, smoke stacks, and similar appurtenances shall be maintained structurally safe and sound, and in good repair. All exposed surfaces of metal or wood shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather coating material, such as paint or similar surface treatment.

303.12 Handrails and Guards. Every handrail and guard shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition.

303.13 Window, Skylights and Door frames. Every window, skylight, door and frame shall be kept in sound condition, good repair and weather tight.

       

 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

303.13.1 Glazing. All glazing materials shall be maintained free from cracks and holes.

                                      GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

        303.13.2 Openable Windows. Every window, other than a fixed window, shall be easily Openable and capable of being held in position by window hardware.

303.14 Insect screen. During the period from [DATE] to [DATE], every door, window and other outside opening 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, packed or stored, shall be supplied with approved tightly fitting screens of not less than 16 mesh per inch (16 mesh per 25mm) and every swinging door shall have a self closing device in good working condition.

        Exception: Screen doors shall not be required where other approved means, such as air curtains or insect repellent fans are employed.

303.15 Doors. All exterior doors, door assemblies and hardware shall be maintained in good condition. Locks at all entrances to dwelling units, rooming units and guestrooms shall tightly secure the door. Locks on means of egress doors shall be in accordance with Section 702.3.

303.16 Basement hatchways. Every basement hatchway shall be maintained to prevent the entrance of rodents, rain and surface drainage water.

303.17 Guards for basement windows. Every basement window that is openable shall be supplied with rodent shields, storm windows or other approved protection against the entry of rodents.

 

Section 304

Interior Structure

304.1 General.  The interior of a structure and equipment therein shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and in a sanitary condition. Occupants shall keep that part of the structure which they occupy or control in a clean and sanitary condition. Every owner of a structure containing a rooming house, a hotel, a dormitory, two or more dwellings units or two or more nonresident occupancies, shall maintain, in a clean and sanitary condition, the shared or public areas of the structure and exterior property.

304.2 Structure members. All structural members shall be maintained structurally sound, and be capable of supporting the imposed loads.

304.3 Interior surfaces. All interior surfaces, including windows and doors, shall be maintained in good, clean and sanitary condition. Peeling, chipping, flaking, or abraded paint shall be corrected.

304.4 Stairs and Walking surfaces. Every stair, ramp, landing, balcony, porch, deck or other walking surface shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair.

 

 

304.5 – 306.5                                                    

304.5 Handrails and Guards. Every handrail and guard shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition.

304.6 Interior doors. Every interior door shall fit reasonably well within its frame and shall be capable of being opened and closed by being properly and securely attached to jambs, headers or tracks as intended by the manufacturer of the attachment hardware.

 

Section 305

Rubbish and Garbage

305.1 Accumulation of Rubbish and Garbage. All exterior property and premises, and the interior of every structure, shall be free form any accumulation of rubbish or garbage.

305.2 Disposal of Rubbish. Every occupant of a structure shall dispose of all rubbish in a clean and sanitary manner by placing such rubbish in approved containers.

        305.2.1 Rubbish storage facilities. The owner of every occupied premises shall supply approved covered containers for rubbish, and the owner of the premises shall be responsible for the removal of rubbish.

305.3 Disposal of Garbage. Every occupant of a structure shall dispose of garbage in a clean and sanitary manner by placing such garbage in an approved garbage disposal facility or approved garbage container.

        305.3.1 Garbage facilities. The owner of every dwelling shall supply one of the following: an approved mechanical food waste grinder in each dwelling unit, an approved incinerator unit in the structure available to the occupants in each dwelling unit; or an approved leak proof, covered, outside garbage container.

        305.3.2 Containers. The operator of every establishment producing garbage shall provide, and at all times cause to be utilized, approved leak proof containers provided with closed-fitting covers for the storage of such materials until removed from the premises for disposal.

 

Section 306

Extermination

306.1 Infestation.  All structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. All structures in which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation.

306.2 Owner. The owner of any structure shall be responsible for extermination within the structure prior to renting or leasing the structure.

306.3 Single Occupancy. The occupant of a one-family dwelling or of a single-tenant nonresidential structure shall be responsible for extermination on the premises.

 

 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

306.4 Multiple Occupancy. The owner of a structure containing two or more dwelling units, a multiple occupancy, a rooming house or a nonresidential structure shall be responsible for extermination of the public or shared areas of the structure and exterior property. If infestation is caused by failure of an occupant to prevent such infestation in the area occupied, the occupant shall be responsible for extermination.

306.5 Occupant. The occupant of any structure shall be responsible for the continued rodent and pest-free condition of the structure.

        Exception: Where the infestations are caused by defects in the structure, the owner shall be responsible for extermination.