Agenda - 06-01-2021; 8-g - Amendment to the Code of Ordinances – Minimum Housing Standards Ordinance

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9 (Ord. of 2-21-1984, art. 8, eff. 7-1-1984) Sec. 20-39. - Minimum standards for space, use and location. (a) Every dwelling unit shall contain at least the minimum room size in each habitable room as required by the North Carolina State Building Code. This provision shall not apply to mobile homes which meet Federal or State construction and safety standards at the time of manufacture. (b) Every dwelling unit shall contain at least 150 square feet of habitable floor area for the first occupant, at least 100 square feet of additional habitable area for each of the next three occupants and at least 75 square feet of additional habitable floor area for each additional occupant. (c) At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of not less than seven feet and six inches. (d) Floor area shall be calculated on the basis of aggregate room area. However, closet area and wall area within the dwelling unit may count for not more than ten percent of the required habitable floor area. The floor area of any part of any room where the ceiling height is less than four and one-half feet (4'6") shall not be considered as part or the floor area for the purpose of determining maximum permissible occupancy. (e) No cellar shall be used for living purposes. (f) No basement shall be used for living purposes unless: (1)The floor and walls are substantially watertight and weathertight; (2)The total window standards, total openable window area, and ceiling height are equal to those required for habitable rooms; (3)The required minimum window standards of every habitable room are entirely above the grade adjoining such, window area, except where the window or windows face a stairwell, window well, or access way. (Ord. of 2-21-1984, art. 9, eff. 7-1-1984) Sec. 20-40. - Minimum standards for control of insects, rodents and infestations. (a) In every dwelling unit, for protection against mosquitoes, flies, and other insects, every door used or intended for use for ventilation opening directly from a dwelling unit to outdoor space shall have supplied and installed screens and a self-closing device; and every window or other device opening to outdoor space used or intended to be used for ventilation shall likewise be supplied with screens. (b) Every basement or cellar window used or intended to be used for ventilation, and every other opening to a basement which might provide an entry for rodents shall be equipped with screens or such other device as will effectively prevent their entrance. (c) Subject to the terms of Section 20-42(f), every dwelling unit shall be kept free of any insects, rodents or other pests therein or on the premises. (Ord. of 2-21-1984, art. 10, eff. 7-1-1984) Sec. 20-41. - Minimum standards applicable to rooming houses; exceptions. All of the provisions of this Ordinance, and all of the minimum standards and requirements of this Ordinance, shall be applicable to rooming houses, and to every person who operates a rooming house, or who occupies or lets to another for occupancy any rooming unit in any rooming house, except as provided in the following paragraphs: