Snellville › Unified Development Ordinance

Chapter 300 — Buildings, Article 4 — Property Maintenance

current as of 2025-03-10re-check pendingOfficialVerify with City of Snellville ↗11 sections · full chapter

§ 304-1

General

General Title The title of this article is the Snellville Property Maintenance Ordinance and may be cited hereinafter as this article.

Purpose The purpose of this article is to establish minimum requirements and standards for premises and structures in order to promote and protect the public health, safety, convenience, order and general welfare of the citizens of the city.

Scope This article shall apply to all commercial, office, industrial, multifamily, and single-family residential structures and premises and shall constitute the minimum requirements and standards for existing structures and premises.

Definitions Unless otherwise noted, terms not defined in this subsection will have their meaning as defined in the general provisions of the construction code, or in the absence of such definition, words will be defined as provided for in Article 2 of Chapter 100 of this UDO. Whenever the term "dwelling unit," "premises,"

"building," "rooming house," "rooming unit" or "story" are stated in this article, they shall be construed as if they were followed by the words "or any part thereof." The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this article:

Boarding-up. Erecting, installing, placing, or maintaining boards over the doors, windows, or other openings of any building or structure or otherwise securing such openings by a means other than the conventional method used in the original construction and design of the building or structure.

Exterior property. The open space on the premises and on adjoining property under the control of owners or operators of such premises.

Local agent. Any person or entity empowered by a creditor, mortgagee, or transferee to:

A.Ensure security and maintenance;

B.Comply with code enforcement orders issued by the City;

C.Provide a trespass authorization upon request of an enforcement officer;

D.Conduct inspections; and Sec. 304-1. General

E.Serve as an agent authorized to receive any citation under this article and notice pertaining to any court or enforcement proceeding in connection with the enforcement of this article.

Operator. Any person who has charge, care or control of a structure or premises which is let or offered for occupancy. A real estate broker or salesperson licensed pursuant to O.C.G.A. title 43, ch. 40 (O.C.G.A.

§ 43-40-1 et seq.) is not an operator for the purposes of this article unless such broker or salesperson is under contract to provide property management services to the owner of such structure or premises.

Owner. Any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the State or County as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court.

Premises. a lot, plot or parcel of land including any structures thereon.

Property. Any unimproved or improved residential or nonresidential real property, or portion thereof, situated in the City of Snellville and includes the buildings or structures located on the real property regardless of condition.

Securing. Such measures as may be directed by the Director that render the property inaccessible to unauthorized persons, including, but not limited to, the repairing of fences and walls, chaining or padlocking of gates, the repairing of doors, windows or other openings.

Penalties

A.Fine and/or Sentence Any person convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of violating any provision of this article shall be guilty of violating a duly adopted ordinance of the City and shall be punished either by a fine not less than $250.00 per day and not to exceed $1,000.00 per day, or by a sentence of imprisonment not to exceed 60 days in jail, or both a fine and jail or work alternative. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.

B.Powers of the Court The court shall have the power and authority to order the violation corrected in compliance with this article and the court may require payment of restitution or impose other punishment allowed by law.

C.Other Legal Remedies In any case in which a violation of this article has occurred, the City, in addition to other remedies provided by law, may petition for a restraining order, injunction, abatement, or take any other appropriate legal action or proceeding through a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent, restrain, or abate such unlawful use or activity.

Transfer of ownership It is unlawful for the owner of any building or structure who has received a notice of violation to sell, transfer, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of such building or structure until the provisions of the Sec. 304-2. International Property Maintenance Code notice of violation have been complied with, or until such owner shall furnish to the chief of police a signed and notarized statement from the grantee, transferee, mortgagee or lessee, acknowledging the receipt of such notice of violation and fully accepting the responsibility, without condition, for making the corrections or repairs required by such notice of violation. Any citation for violation of this section shall be issued to the transferor of the property listed on the face of the document evidencing conveyance of the property.

§ 304-2

International Property Maintenance Code

International Property Maintenance Code Adopted A certain document, three copies of which are on file in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Snellville, being marked and designated as the International Property Maintenance Code, 2012 edition, and the Georgia State Amendments thereto as revised January 1, 2015, as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the Property Maintenance Code of the City of Snellville, in the State of Georgia for regulating and governing the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures; by providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical things and conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use; and the condemnation of buildings and structures unfit for human occupancy and use, and the demolition of such existing structures as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefore; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said property maintenance code on file in the office of the City of Snellville are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this article, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in Sec. 304-2.2.

Same—Modifications The following sections are hereby revised:

Section 101.1. Insert: City of Snellville Section 103.5. Insert: Fee Schedules of the Planning & Development and Police Departments Section 111. Insert: Appeals shall go to the Municipal Court of the City of Snellville Section 111.2. Delete this Section in its entirety Section 111.7. Clarification: The Court referenced is the Municipal Court of the City of Snellville Section 302.4. Insert: Twelve (12) inches Section 304.14. Insert: January 1 to December 31 Section 602.3. Insert: November 1 to March 31 Section 602.4. Insert: November 1 to March 31 All references to the "Department of Property Maintenance" and its "Code Official" shall be revised to read "Department of Planning and Development" and its "Director of Planning and Development"

respectively.

Sec. 304-3. Buildings Service of Process Notwithstanding any provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code of 2012 to the contrary, complaints issued by a public officer in accordance with this article must be served in the following manner:

A.At least 14 days prior to the date of the hearing, the public officer must mail copies of the complaint by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested, to all interested parties whose identities and addresses are reasonably ascertainable. Copies of the complaint must also be mailed by first-class mail to the property address to the attention of the occupants of the property, if any, and must be posted on the property within 3 business days of filing the complaint and at least 14 days prior to the date of the hearing.

B.In addition to the method identified in A above and Section 107.3 of the International Property Maintenance Code, service may be perfected by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested, to the most recent address shown in County tax filings and mailed at least 14 days prior to the date of the hearing.

C.For interested parties whose mailing address is unknown, a notice stating the date, time, and place of the hearing must be published in the newspaper in which the sheriff's advertisements appear in such County once a week for two consecutive weeks prior to the hearing.

D.A notice of lis pendens must be filed in the office of the clerk of superior court in the county in which the property, dwelling, building, or structure is located at the time of filing the complaint in the appropriate court. Such notice must have the same force and effect as other lis pendens notices provided by law.

E.Orders and other filings made subsequent to service of the initial complaint must be served in the manner provided in this subsection on any interested party who answers the complaint or appears at the hearing.

F.Any interested party who fails to answer or appear at the hearing will be deemed to have waived all further notice in the proceedings.

§ 304-3

Buildings

Buildings Numbering Requirements

A.Assignation Street numbers shall be assigned by the Department in accordance with this UDO.

B.Single-family Detached and two-family Dwelling Requirements Each single-family attached and two-family dwelling must have posted and maintained in a conspicuous place on the property, visible from the street, providing general public access, the street number of such dwelling unit in figures at least 4 inches high on a contrasting background that will allow 24-hour visibility.

C.Multifamily Requirements Sec. 304-4. Exterior Walls Each multifamily building (including single-family attached dwellings) with three or more dwellings must have posted and maintained in a conspicuous place on the building, visible from the parking lot or street providing general public access, the addresses or numbers of the building in figures at least 6 inches high on a contrasting background and each individual apartment/unit within the building shall be marked on or about its main entrance with the individual apartment/unit number and/or address in figures at least 4 inches high on a contrasting background that will allow 24-hour visibility.

In addition to these requirements, where a multifamily building has more than one exterior entrance, each such entrance shall be marked, in figures at least 4 inches high on a contrasting background, with the number and/or address of each and every individual apartment/unit or numerical range of apartment units to which access is provided through that common entrance.

D.Business and Other Nonresidential Building Requirements Each business or other nonresidential building must have posted and maintained in a conspicuous place of the property, visible from the street providing public access, the address and/or street number of such building in figures at least 4 inches high on a contrasting background that will allow 24-hour visibility. If the numbers are not placed within 15 feet of the back of the street curbing or edge of the street surface, then such figures shall be at least 6 inches high. A quadrant designation will be posted as part of the address in figures at least 2 inches high on a contrasting background of a material that will allow 24-hour visibility and be placed with the number designation.

Exterior Surface Treatment All exterior surfaces, including, but not limited to, doors, door and window frames, cornices, porches and trim shall be maintained in good repair. Exterior wood surfaces, other than decay resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by painting or other protective covering or treatment.

Peeling, flaking and chipped paint shall be eliminated and surfaces repainted. All siding and masonry joints must be maintained weather-resistant and watertight.

§ 304-4

Exterior Walls

Exterior Walls Exterior walls of buildings shall be maintained free from holes, breaks, loose, or rotting materials, and shall be maintained weatherproof and properly surface coated as needed to prevent deterioration.

Foundation Walls All foundation walls shall be maintained so as to carry the safe design and operating dead and live loads of the structure and shall be maintained plumb and free from open cracks and breaks so as not to be detrimental to public safety and welfare. Every foundation, exterior wall, and other exterior surface shall be maintained in a workmanlike state of maintenance and repair.

Roofs Roofs of buildings shall be maintained so that they are structurally sound and in a safe condition and have no defects which might admit rain or cause dampness in the interior portions of a building. All portions, additions or sections of a roof, including, but not limited to, the fascia, eave, soffit, sheathing, rafter tail, Sec. 304-5. Decorative Features barge rafter, vent screening, gutter, downspout, roof jack, and metal flashing, shall be complete with all trim strips, moldings, brackets, braces and supports attached or fastened in accordance with common building practices. Gutters must be free of vegetation and in good repair. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rainwater from causing dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior portion of the building.

Exterior Stairways, Decks, Porches, and Balconies Exterior stairways, decks, porches and balconies, and all appurtenances attached thereto, of buildings shall be maintained so that they are structurally sound, in good repair, with proper anchorage and capable of supporting the imposed loads.

Windows.

Windows of buildings shall be fully supplied and maintained with glass window panes or with a substitute approved by the Director of the Department of Planning and Development, and such glass or substitute material shall be without open cracks or holes. Screens, if provided, shall be securely fastened to the window and maintained in good repair. Windows other than fixed windows shall be capable of being opened with reasonable ease and shall be held in position by appropriate window hardware.

Exterior Doors and Frames Exterior doors of buildings shall be maintained so that they fit reasonably well within their frames so as to substantially prevent rain and wind from entering a building. Exterior door jambs, stops, headers and moldings shall be securely attached to the structure and maintained in good condition without splitting or deterioration. Additionally, exterior doors shall be provided with proper hardware and maintained in proper working condition.

Garage Doors Garage doors shall be capable of being closed reasonably plumb, properly attached, and the exterior surface of garage doors shall be maintained weatherproof so as to prevent deterioration.

§ 304-5

Decorative Features

Decorative Features Cornices, belt courses, corbels, terra cotta trim, wall facings, shutters, light fixtures, and similar decorative features shall be maintained in good repair with proper anchorage and in a safe condition.

§ 304-6

Vacant structures

Vacant structures Vacant structures shall be maintained in good repair and be in compliance with all applicable laws, codes, and ordinances. Any vacant structure shall, at a minimum:

A.Have all doors and windows and other openings weathertight and secured against entry by the general public as well as animals. The vacant structure shall be secured using the conventional methods used in the original construction. Where securing the structure through conventional methods is not feasible or where the owner desires to board up the vacant structure, the owner or Sec. 304-6. Vacant structures interested party must obtain a separate boarding-up permit from the Department of Planning and Development.

B.All roof and roof flashings shall be sound and tight such that no rain will penetrate the structure and must allow for appropriate drainage so as to prevent deterioration of the interior walls or other interior portions of the structure.

C.The structure must be maintained in good repair, be structurally sound and free from rubbish, garbage and other debris.

D.Supporting members of the structure shall be capable of bearing both live and dead loads and the foundation walls likewise shall be capable of supporting an appropriate load.

E.The exterior of the structure shall be free of loose or rotten materials as well as holes. Any exposed metal, wood or other surface shall be protected from the elements by appropriate weather coating materials (paint or similar treatment).

F.All balconies, canopies, signs, metal awnings, stairways, fire escapes or other overhanging extensions shall be in good repair and appropriately anchored. The exposed metal and wood surface of such overhanging extensions shall also be protected from the elements against rust or decay by appropriate application of paint or similar weather coating.

G.Any accessories or appurtenant structures, including, but not limited to, garages, sheds or other storage facilities, shall meet the standards set forth in this section.

H.Have a plan for winterization of the vacant property if necessary.

I.Retaining walls, drainage systems, or other structures must be maintained in good repair and be structurally sound. Any existing fence shall be maintained in good repair with gates locked at all times.

J.Be in compliance with all applicable provisions of this chapter and all other applicable codes and ordinances of the City of Snellville.

Boarding-Up Structures

A.Boarding-Up Permit No person, firm, association or corporation may erect, install, place, or maintain boards over the doors, windows or other opening of any building or structure or otherwise secure such opening by a means other than the conventional method used in the original construction and design of the building or structure without first obtaining a valid boarding-up permit in accordance with this section. Any properties with boards existing at the time of the adoption of the ordinance from which this section is derived will have 60 days from the date of the adoption of the ordinance from which this section is derived to submit an application to the Department of Planning and Development for a permit to continue to board.

B.Permit Issuance The Department may issue a boarding-up permit only upon satisfaction of the following conditions:

Sec. 304-6. Vacant structures

1.Submission of a written application by the owner of the property or his authorized representative, including the following information:

a.Name, address and telephone number of the owner;

b.Name, address and telephone number of any local agent of the owner;

c.Tax parcel identification number of the premises on which the structure is situated;

d.Common address of the structure;

e.Other information as may be required by the department.

2.Payment of the required fee by the owner of the property or his authorized representative.

3.Submission of a written statement or plan by the owner or the property or his authorized representative specifying:

a.Length of time the owner expects the boarding-up to continue;

b.Proposed plan to secure or board up the structure, including a detailed description regarding the manner and materials.

c.Proposed maintenance plan detailing the monitoring and maintenance of the structure and premises in conformance with this article.

d.The City may conduct an inspection of the subject property to ensure that the structure is boarded up in accordance with the plan approved by the Department of Planning and Development.

4.A boarding-up permit issued pursuant to this section shall authorize the boarding-up or other securing of a building or structure for a period of six months. An owner of a property desiring to continue to board his property beyond the 6-month term must submit a renewal application to renew the boarding-up permit and continue to meet the requirements for the issuance of a new boarding-up permit. The permit may be renewed within 30 days of the expiration of the original upon payment of necessary fees. A new permit must be obtained if the original permit is not renewed within 30 days of the expiration of the original permit.

5.No boarding-up permit shall be required to board-up a building for up to 30 days in the event of a temporary emergency situation, including, but not limited to, damage caused by vandalism, theft or weather. In the event an emergency situation requires a building or structure to be boarded-up for more than 30 days, the owner of the building or structure or his authorized representative must obtain a valid building permit for repair or a valid boarding-up permit in accordance with this section.

6.The boarding of doors, windows, or other openings of any building or structure or any means of securing such openings, other than by the conventional method used in the original construction and design of the building or structure, shall be according to the specifications approved under the permit. All boarded openings shall be painted with a minimum of two coats of exterior paint, which is of a color compatible with the exterior color of the building or structure.

7.Any structure which is boarded shall be in compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances of the City.

Sec. 304-7. Property

8.Any structure which is boarded up shall be posted with the name, permit information, and 24-hour contact phone number of the local agent.

Burned Structures Whenever any building or structure is partially burned, the owner or person in control shall, within 30 days after completion of the scene investigation by the fire department and/or insurer of the property, remove from the premises all refuse, debris, and all charred and partially burned lumber and material. If such building or structure shall be burned to such an extent that it is rendered incapable of being repaired, the owner or person in control shall, within 60 days after completion of the scene investigation by the fire department and/or insurer of the property, remove from the premises all the remaining portion of the building or structure. If the building or structure is to be repaired, a permit shall be obtained and work shall begin within 60 days after completion of the scene investigation by the fire department and/or insurer of the property and shall be completed within 180 days from the date a permit is obtained.

§ 304-7

Property

Property Fences and walls

A.Fences and walls shall be maintained in a structurally sound condition and in good repair. Fences shall be free from loose or rotting materials and shall have braces and supports attached or fastened in accordance with common building practices. Fences shall be maintained free of nails protruding more than 1/16 -inch beyond the face of any uncovered fence member.

B.All multifamily parcels which contain eight units per acre or more, excluding single-family attached dwellings on parcels that contain a minimum of three acres, shall be fenced on all sides with a chain-link or wrought iron fence, or other material approved by the Director of the Department of Planning and Development, no less than 4 feet in height. Any new fence required by the adoption of the ordinance from which this article is derived shall be constructed within 6 months from the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived.

C.All damaged or missing portions of a fence shall be replaced with comparable materials and shall be attached to the existing portion of the fence. Fences shall not be externally braced in lieu of replacing or repairing posts, columns or other structural members.

Graffiti It shall be a violation of this article for any person having a legal or equitable interest in a parcel of real property to permit graffiti to remain on a structure located thereon for a continuous period of more than 72 hours. For purposes of this section, the term "graffiti" shall have the same meaning as set forth in O.C.G.A. § 17-15A-2.

Yards The unpaved areas of front yards and side (street) yards must be maintained with grass, ground cover or other type of landscaping to such an extent that the soil is not subject to erosion.

Sec. 304-8. Junk vehicles Grass, weeds, and uncultivated vegetation

A.Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from grass, weeds, or uncultivated vegetation in excess of 12 inches in height, except in forests.

B.Property owners abutting a right-of-way shall not allow yard trimmings to accumulate on a public street or sidewalk.

C.The unpaved areas of front yards shall be maintained with grass, ground cover or other type of landscaping to such an extent that the soil is not subject to erosion.

§ 304-8

Junk vehicles

A.Junk vehicles shall not be kept, permitted, parked, stored or maintained on any premises or public right-of-way, except as provided for in paragraph B below.

B.Exceptions

1.Junk vehicles, limited to a maximum of two, which are kept within a fully enclosed building on property in residential zoning districts provided the owner or occupant of the property is in the process of reconditioning the junk vehicles for personal use.

2.Junk vehicles which are kept on property in zoning districts authorized by the UDO for repairing, reconditioning or remodeling junk vehicles and provided that such vehicles are not stored for the purpose of salvage of parts but is in the continual process of repair, reconditioning or remodeling.

3.Unauthorized vehicles which are kept on property in zoning districts as authorized by the UDO for a junk or salvage yard.

Driveways and walkways All private driveways and walkways connecting a driveway to a building shall be maintained in a passable condition so as to allow safe vehicular and pedestrian ingress and egress to the building served. For purposes of this section, there is a rebuttable presumption that a private driveway or walkway is impassable if the driveway or walkway contains a grade separation of 6 inches or more.

Open or outdoor storage The open or outdoor storage of appliances, building material or debris, equipment, garbage, glass, material, merchandise, rubbish, trash or similar items shall not be permitted, maintained or stored on any premises, except as provided in “b” below.

Exceptions:

A.Property where outdoor storage is authorized by the UDO.

B.Cut wood which is neatly stacked in lengths not to exceed 3 feet for the personal use of the owner or occupant and which is stored in a side (interior) or rear yard.

C.Rubbish, garbage, trash or other similar items placed outside for collection by an authorized waste hauler not more than 24 hours prior to the designated collection date for that property.

Sec. 304-9. Trees

§ 304-9

Trees

A.Dead Trees Dead trees shall not be allowed to exist or to be maintained on any premises which are hazardous to persons on adjacent property or to adjacent property. A finding by a registered forester or certified arborist shall constitute prima facie evidence that a tree is in danger of falling upon adjacent lots or public streets due to the death of the tree.

Exceptions:

1.Property covered by a valid land disturbing permit.

2.Tree debris. Felled trees, slash, or removed tree limbs shall not be permitted or maintained on the ground on any premises for more than 14 days.

B.Tree Stumps Tree stumps greater than 12 inches in height above ground level shall not be permitted or maintained on any premises for more than 14 days after the tree has been cut.

Exceptions:

1.Property covered by a valid land disturbing permit.

2.Cut wood which is neatly stacked in lengths not to exceed 3 feet and which is stored in a side (interior) or rear yard.

3.Composting activities which comply with State law.

Swimming pools Swimming pools, spas, and similar structures aboveground, on ground, or in ground shall be maintained in a safe, clean, sanitary, secure, and structurally and mechanically sound condition, so as to prevent stagnant water, which is conducive to the harboring or breeding of mosquitoes or other insects. A finding by a health official of the County environmental health department shall constitute prima facie evidence that stagnant water in a swimming pool is conducive to the breeding or harboring of mosquitoes or other insects. All swimming pools shall be completely surrounded by a fence or other barrier having a minimum height of 4 feet. When the sides of an aboveground pool are used as the barrier the ladder or steps shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access; or the ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier which meets these requirements.

§ 304-10

Residential Occupancy Limitation

Residential Occupancy Limitation Privacy Dwelling units, hotel units, rooming units and dormitory units shall be arranged to provide privacy and be separate from other adjoining spaces.

Sec. 304-10. Residential Occupancy Limitation Minimum Room Widths A habitable room, other than a kitchen, shall not be less than 7½ feet in any plan dimension. Kitchens shall have a clear passageway of not less than 3 feet between counter fronts and appliances or counter fronts and walls.

Minimum ceiling heights.

Habitable spaces, hallways, corridors, laundry areas, bathrooms, toilet rooms and habitable basement areas shall have a clear ceiling height of not less than 7 feet.

Exceptions:

A.In one- and two-family dwellings, beams or girders spaced not less than 4 feet on center and projecting not more than 6 inches below the required ceiling height.

B.Basement rooms in one- and two-family dwellings occupied exclusively for laundry, study or recreation purposes, having a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 8 inches with not less than 6 feet 4 inches of clear height under beams, girders, ducts and similar obstructions.

C.Rooms occupied exclusively for sleeping, study or similar purposes and having a sloped ceiling over all or part of the room, with a clear ceiling height of at least 7.5 feet over not less than 50 percent of the required minimum floor area. In calculating the floor area of such rooms, only those portions of the floor area with a clear ceiling height of 5 feet or more shall be included.

Bedroom Requirements

A.Area for sleeping purposes. Every bedroom occupied by one occupant shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor area, and every bedroom occupied by more than one occupant shall contain at least 50 square feet of floor area for each occupant thereof.

B.Prohibited occupancy. Kitchens and nonhabitable spaces shall not be used for sleeping purposes.

Overcrowding Dwelling units shall not be occupied by more occupants than permitted by the following table:

Space Minimum Area in Square Feet

1-2 Occupants 3—5 Occupants 6 or More Occupants

Table or figure — shown as printedverify at source ↗

Living Room: [1] [2]       No Requirements                          120                             150

Dining Room: [1] [2]       No Requirements                          80                              100

Kitchen: [2]                                   50                   50                              60

Bedrooms Shall comply with Sec. 304-10.4.A Tables notes:

[1] Combined living room and dining room spaces shall comply with the requirements of this table if the total area is equal to that required for separate rooms and if the space is located so as to function as a combination living room/dining room.

[2] The minimum occupancy area required by this table is not be included as sleeping area in determining minimum occupancy area for sleeping purposes. Sleeping areas shall comply with Sec. 304-10.4.

Sec. 304-11. Enforcement and Unlawful Acts Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, individuals shall only occupy any residential dwelling unit in compliance with the definition of family in the UDO unless a variance has been granted. The number of occupants of a dwelling unit may be further limited based upon septic system limitations and parking regulations applicable to a specific property.

Efficiency Unit Nothing in this article shall prohibit an efficiency dwelling unit meeting the following requirements:

A.An efficiency unit occupied by not more than two occupants shall have a clear floor area of not less than 220 square feet. An efficiency unit occupied by three occupants shall have a clear floor area of not less than 320 square feet. These required areas shall be exclusive of the areas required by paragraphs B and C below.

B.The unit shall be provided with a kitchen sink, cooking appliance and refrigeration facilities, each having a clear working space of not less than 30 inches in front.

C.The unit shall be provided with a separate bathroom containing a water closet, lavatory and bathtub or shower.

D.The maximum number of occupants shall be three.

Short term Occupancy This article shall not apply to any occupancy which has not lasted, or is not intended to last, more than 1 week.

§ 304-11

Enforcement and Unlawful Acts

Enforcement and Unlawful Acts Enforcement.

A.This article shall be enforced by the chief of police or the Director, as applicable.

B.Whenever it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this article, or whenever a police officer or code enforcement officer has reasonable cause to believe that there exists upon any property a condition or violation which is unsafe, dangerous, hazardous, or detrimental to the public interest, the officer may enter upon the grounds of such property at all reasonable times to inspect the same; provided, however, that if such structure or property is occupied, the officer shall first present proper credentials and request entry upon such grounds. If such entry is refused, the officer shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry upon such grounds.

Unlawful Acts

A.It shall be unlawful for a person, firm or corporation to conflict with or in violate this article.

Sec. 305-1. In General Chapter 300. Buildings Article 5. Powers and Duties of the Building Official