CHAPTER 151
HOUSING
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151.01 Reserved 151.02 Sleeping in unhealthy places 151.03 Lodging house or boardinghouse; duty of owner 151.04 Renters to disclose names of owners of premises |
151.05 Intent and purpose 151.06 Minimum sanitary and safety standards 151.07 Enforcement
151.99 Penalty |
§ 151.01 RESERVED
The roof of every house shall be kept in good repair and so as not to leak; and all rain water shall be so drained or conveyed therefrom as to prevent its dripping on the ground or causing dampness in the walls, yard, or area.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 151.02 SLEEPING IN UNHEALTHY PLACES.
No person having the right and power to prevent the same shall knowingly cause or permit any person to sleep or remain in any place dangerous or prejudicial to health by reason of a want of ventilation or drainage, or by reason of the presence of any poisonous, noxious, or offensive substance, or otherwise.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 151.03 LODGING HOUSE OR BOARDINGHOUSE; DUTY OF OWNER.
Every owner, lessee, tenant, or manager of any tenement house, lodging house, or boardinghouse shall cause every part thereof and its appurtenances to be put, and shall thereafter cause the same to be kept, in a clean and wholesome condition, and shall speedily cause every apartment thereof in which any person may sleep or dwell to be adequately lighted and ventilated.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 151.04 RENTERS TO DISCLOSE NAMES OF OWNERS OF PREMISES.
Every agent or other person having charge, control, or management, or who collects or receives the rents on any lands, premises, or other property in the city, shall disclose the names of the owners of such land, premises, or property, or the names of the persons for whom such agent or other person is acting, upon application being made therefor by an inspector, agent, or officer of the Board of Health.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 151.05 INTENT AND PURPOSE
Because there exist in the City buildings and structures which are substandard in one (1) or more important minimum sanitary and safety features; and because such conditions adversely affect public health and safety, lead to the continuation, extension and aggravation of blight and deterioration of neighborhoods; and because it is important to preserve the quality and value of the City's buildings and structures, the following sections are adopted to provide for the establishment and enforcement of minimum sanitary and safety standards, to promote the adequate protection of the public health, safety and welfare, and to protect and promote property values within the City.
(Ord. 2201, passed 9-20-99)
§ 151.06 MINIMUM SANITARY AND SAFETY STANDARDS
The owner of any building or structure, as those terms are defined in the City of Washington Zoning Code, within the City of Washington shall cause each building or structure owned to comply with the following sanitary and safety standards.
Every foundation, roof, exterior wall, skylight, hatchway, window, door, outside stair, porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be weather-tight, water-tight, and rodent proof;
Every foundation, roof, exterior wall, skylight, hatchway, window, door, outside stair, porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be kept free of loose, missing or rotting boards, timbers, bricks, stone and other structural material; and
Every foundation, roof, exterior wall, floor, outside stair, porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the load which normal use may cause to be placed thereon.
(Ord. 2201, passed 9-20-99)
§ 151.07 ENFORCEMENT
In order to safeguard the safety, health, and welfare of the public, the code enforcement officer is authorized to enter onto private property within the City of Washington for purposes of making inspections of the exterior of buildings and structures and performing duties under this Chapter when there is sufficient exterior evidence of deterioration or neglect to warrant an exterior inspection. Whenever, in the opinion of the code enforcement officer, it is deemed necessary or desirable to have inspections by any other department or official, the code enforcement officer may arrange for the coordination of inspections so as to minimize the number of visits by inspectors, and to avoid issuing conflicting orders or notices.
Whenever the code enforcement officer determines that there has been a violation of this code or has grounds to believe that a violation has occurred, notice shall be given to the owner of the building or structure. The notice shall:
Be in writing;
Include a description of the real estate sufficient for identification; and
Include a statement of the reason or reasons why the notice is being issued; and
Include a correction order allowing a reasonable time of the repair(s) and improvements required to bring the building or structure into compliance with this Chapter.
(Ord. 2201, passed 9-20-99)
§ 151.99 PENALTY
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this Chapter or fail to comply with a correction order contained in a notice given under this Chapter. Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter shall be subject to a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than seven hundred fifty ($750) for every day a violation exists. Each day a violation exists shall be deemed a separate offense subject to fine. Any person who fails to comply with a correction order contained in a notice given under this Chapter shall be subject to a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than seven hundred fifty ($750) for every day the person fails to comply with the order after notice has been served. Each day of non-compliance shall be deemed a separate offense subject to fine.
In the event any building or structure is maintained in violation of this Chapter and any other ordinance of the City of Washington, the remedies provided in this Chapter shall not be the exclusive remedies available to the City of Washington, but shall be in addition to any other remedies proceeding or actions which may be available to the City to prevent, restrain, correct or abate violations of any City ordinance. At any time during, prior to or after seeking fines or penalties under this Chapter, the City may, in addition to seeking fines, file for injunctive or other equitable relief. The above stated fines shall not be construed to limit the authority or discretion of any judge in the exercise of his/her powers.
(Ord. 2201, passed 9-20-99)