§ 20-171. Minimum standards for light and ventilation.

No person shall occupy as owner, occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit, for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements:

(1)

Every habitable room shall have at least one (1) window or skylight facing directly outdoors. The total window area, measured between stops, of every habitable room shall be not less than ten (10) percent of the floor area of such room. A window facing walls or other portions of structures so as to create a light-obstruction within eight (8) feet of such window shall not be included in the minimum total window area. Whenever the only window in a room is a skylight-type window in the top of such room, the total window area of such skylight shall equal at least fifteen (15) percent of the total floor area of such room.

(2)

Every habitable room shall have one (1) or more windows or other ventilating space capable of being opened to ensure a clear opening of not less than forty-five (45) percent of the required window area.

(3)

Bathroom and water closet compartments and nonhabitable rooms used for food preparation may be provided with adequate ventilating systems approved by the Director of Health in lieu of the required window.

(4)

During that portion of each year when there is a need for protection against mosquitoes, flies, and other insects (June 1 to October 30), at least one (1) door opening directly from a dwelling unit to outdoor space shall have supplied properly fitting screens having at least sixteen (16) mesh, and swinging doors shall be equipped with a self-closing device; and every window or other device with openings to outdoor space, used or intended to be used for ventilation, shall likewise be supplied with sixteen-mesh screens, half or full, with a secure attachment to the window frame. 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 supplied with a screen or such other device as will effectively prevent their entrance.

(5)

Where there is usable electric service available from power lines which are not more than three hundred (300) feet away from a dwelling, every dwelling unit and all public and common areas shall be supplied with electric service, outlets, and fixtures which shall be properly installed, shall be maintained in good and safe working condition, and shall be connected to a source of electric power in a manner prescribed by the ordinances, rules and regulations of the City of Danbury.

a.

Every water closet compartment, bathroom and kitchen or kitchenette, laundry room, furnace room, and public hall shall contain at least one (1) supplied ceiling or wall-type electric light fixture.

b.

Convenient switches or equivalent devices for turning on one (1) light in each room or passageway shall be located so as to permit the area ahead to be lighted.

c.

Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with at least one (1) 15-ampere circuit, and such circuit shall not be shared with another dwelling unit.

d.

Every habitable room shall contain at least two (2) separate wall-type duplex electric convenience outlets or one (1) such duplex convenience outlet and one (1) supplied wall- or ceiling-type electric light fixture. No duplex outlet shall serve more than two (2) fixtures or appliances.

e.

Temporary wiring or extension cords shall not be used as permanent wiring.

f.

All electric lights and outlets in bathrooms shall be controlled by switches which are of such design as shall minimize the danger of electric shock, and such lights and outlets shall be installed and maintained in such condition as to minimize the danger of electrical shock.

(6)

Every public hall and stairway in every multiple dwelling shall be adequately lighted by natural or electric light at all times, so as to provide in all parts thereof at least ten (10) footcandles of light at the tread or floor level. Every public hall and stairway in structures containing not more than two (2) dwelling units may be supplied with conveniently located light switches controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on when needed instead of full-time lighting.

(Code 1961, § 10-6; Ord. No. 241, 3-6-1979; Ord. No. 254, § 3, 3-4-1980)