§ 50-40. Roominghouses.

All of the provisions of this article, and all of the minimum standards and requirements of this article, shall be applicable to roominghouses, and to every person who operates a roominghouse or who occupies or lets to another for occupancy, and any rooming unit in any roominghouse, except as provided below:

(1)

Water closet, hand lavatory, and bath facilities. At least one water closet, lavatory basin, and bathtub or shower, properly connected to an approved water and sewer system and in good working condition, shall be supplied for each four rooms within a roominghouse wherever these facilities are shared. All such facilities shall be located within the residence building served and shall be directly accessible from a common hall or passageway, and shall be not more than one story removed from any of the persons sharing the facilities. Every lavatory basin and bathtub or shower shall be supplied with hot and cold water at all times. These required facilities shall not be located in a cellar.

(2)

Minimum floor area for sleeping purposes. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one occupant shall contain at least 70 square feet of floor area, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant shall contain at least 50 square feet of floor area for each occupant 12 years of age and over, and at least 35 square feet of floor area for each occupant under 12 years of age.

(3)

Sanitary conditions. The operator of every roominghouse shall be responsible for the sanitary maintenance of all walls, floors, and ceilings, and for the sanitary maintenance of every part of the roominghouse. He shall be responsible for the sanitary maintenance of the entire premises where the entire structure or building, within which the roominghouse is contained, is leased or occupied by the operator.

(4)

Sanitary facilities. Every water closet, flush urinal, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower required by subsection (1) of this section shall be located within the roominghouse and within a room which affords privacy, is separate from the habitable rooms, is accessible from a common hall, and is accessible without going outside the roominghouse or through any other room therein.

(Code 1985, § 155.17; Code 1999, § 50-45)