Sec. 4-37. - Policy and purpose of this article.

It is hereby declared that there exist in the city, nonresidential structures and dwellings which are substandard in one or more important features of structural safety, sanitary facilities, maintenance and healthful occupancy. These conditions, together with inadequate provision for light and air, insufficient protection against fire, unsanitary conditions, lack of proper heating, overcrowding of nonresidential structures and dwellings, deterioration and disrepair of nonresidential structures and dwellings and their premises and the occupancy of unfit nonresidential structures and dwellings, endanger the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community and give impetus to the continuation, extension and aggravation of urban blight and decay. It is further declared that the establishment and enforcement of minimum housing standards and the rehabilitation of housing are essential to the public health, safety and general welfare. The purpose of this article shall be to protect the public health, safety and welfare by establishing minimum standards governing the condition and maintenance of all nonresidential structures and dwellings and the premises thereof and establishing minimum standards governing utilities and facilities and other physical things and conditions essential to make nonresidential structures and dwellings safe, sanitary and fit for human habitation, fixing certain responsibilities and duties of owners, operators and occupants of nonresidential structures and dwellings and the premises thereof and fixing the conditions whereby certain nonresidential structures and dwellings may be declared unfit for occupancy and condemned for human habitation and fixing penalties for violations of the provisions of this article.

(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 4-37)