§ 20-101. General provisions.

The following general provisions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this article:

(1)

Legislative finding. It is hereby found that there exist and may in the future exist, within the City of Danbury, premises, dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units, or parts thereof, which by reason of their structure, equipment, sanitation, maintenance, use, or occupancy affect or are likely to affect adversely the public health (including the physical, mental, and social well-being of persons and families), safety, and general welfare. To correct and prevent the existence of such adverse conditions, and to achieve and maintain such levels of residential environmental quality as will protect and promote public health, safety, and general welfare, it is further found that the establishment and enforcement of minimum housing standards are required.

(2)

Purposes. It is hereby declared that the purpose of this article is to protect, preserve, and promote the physical and mental health and social well-being of the people, to prevent and control the incidence of communicable diseases, to regulate privately and publicly owned dwellings for the purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and public health, and to protect the safety of the people and to promote the general welfare by legislation which shall be applicable to all dwellings now in existence or hereafter constructed. If is hereby further declared that the purpose of this article is to ensure that the quality of housing is adequate for protection of public health, safety and general welfare, including: establishment of minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, and thermal conditions, for safety from fire and accidents, for the use and location and amount of space for human occupancy, and for an adequate level of maintenance; determination of the responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants of dwellings; and provision for the administration and enforcement thereof.

(3)

Title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code" of the City of Danbury.

(Code 1961, § 10-1; Ord. No. 241, 3-6-1979)