§ 9-278. Light, ventilation.

(a)

No person shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking or eating therein or any hotel, hotel unit, rooming house or rooming unit for the purpose of living or sleeping therein which does not comply with the requirements of this section.

(b)

Every habitable room shall have at least one (1) window with a minimum total area of not less than ten (10) percent of the floor area of the room or a skylight with a minimum total area of not less than fifteen (15) percent of the floor area of the room.

(1)

Windows and skylights shall face directly to the outdoors.

(2)

A window shall be deemed not to face directly to the outdoors and shall not be included in the required minimum total window area if exterior walls of adjacent buildings or other light-obstructing structures are located less than three (3) feet from the window and extend to a level above the ceiling of the room in which the window occurs.

(c)

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

(d)

Every hall, stairway and other space or area located within or on the exterior of a dwelling, dwelling unit, hotel or rooming house shall be provided with properly installed electric lighting facilities capable of providing not less than one (1) footcandle of illumination throughout, and such facilities shall be controlled by and available to the occupants at all times.

(e)

Every habitable room shall be ventilated directly to the outdoors. Such ventilation shall be provided by an openable area equal to fifty (50) percent of the required minimum window or skylight area or by satisfactory mechanical ventilation complying with the building code.

(f)

Every bathroom, shower room or water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements set forth for habitable rooms, except that windows or skylights shall not be required in those bedrooms, shower rooms and water closet compartments equipped with an adequate and properly functioning ventilating system installed and maintained in accordance with the building code.

(g)

The openable area of every window or other device opening to the outdoors and intended to provide ventilation for a habitable room shall be properly fitted with an adequate screen for protection against mosquitoes, flies and other insects.

(h)

Every door opening directly from a dwelling, hotel, or rooming unit to outdoor spaces shall be adequately screened for protection against mosquitoes, flies and other insects.

(1)

Where separate screen doors are provided they shall be self-closing.

(2)

Screen doors shall not be required for units which are mechanically air conditioned or which have a total openable window area of fifteen (15) percent of the total floor area.

(Code 1953, § 48-45(B); Ord. No. C-75-26, § 2, 3-18-75)