Chapter 156 – Housing Code

59. “Solid waste container” means a watertight container that is constructed of metal or other durable material impervious to rodents and that is capable of being serviced without creating unsanitary conditions. 60. “Supplied” means paid for, furnished by, provided by, or under the control of the owner or operator. 61. “Temporary housing” means any tent, trailer, motor home, or other structure used for human shelter and designed to be transportable and not attached to the ground, to another structure or to any utilities system on the same premises for more than thirty (30) calendar days. 62. “Toilet” means a water closet, with a bowl and trap made in one piece, of such shape and form and holding a sufficient quantity of water so that no fecal matter will collect on the surface of the bowl, and which is equipped with a flushing rim or flushing rims. 63. “Type III dwelling unit” means any habitable room or group of adjoining habitable rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking, and eating of meals but does not have a toilet or bath available for the exclusive use of the occupants thereof. 156.04 SCOPE OF PROVISIONS. The provisions of this chapter apply to all dwellings within the jurisdiction of the City used or intended to be used for human occupancy, except said provisions are not applicable to temporary housing, as defined herein. 156.05 COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW. The City, in compliance with the requirements of the Code of Iowa, as amended, hereby adopts the December 17, 1979, version of the Housing Quality Standards promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (24 C.F.R. Section 882.109[a] through [1]) as the adopted model Housing Code for the City, as amended. The City has integrated the Housing Quality Standard in Sections 156.01 through 156.20 of this chapter, which provisions, to be enforced by the City, are as stringent as, or more stringent than, those in the model Housing Code as adopted. 156.06 ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL. The inspector is hereby authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of the Housing Code and to make inspections to determine the condition of all dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units, structures, and premises located within the City, in order that the inspector may perform the duty of safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of the occupants of dwellings and of the general public under the provisions of the Housing Code. 156.07 INSPECTIONS. 1. Inspection of Owner-Occupied, Single-Family Dwellings. Inspections of owner- occupied, single-family dwellings shall occur only upon request or complaint to the inspector, and only the standards of Sections 156.17, 156.19 and 156.20 of this chapter shall be applicable. 2. Inspections of Structure Items. The provisions of Sections 156.17 and 156.18 of this chapter in effect at the time of issuance of a certificate of structure compliance shall be the only structure standards applicable to a dwelling. Upon the issuance of a certificate of structure compliance, there shall be no further inspection and enforcement of the structure items under Sections 156.17 and 156.18 of this chapter. 3. Maintenance Inspections. Inspections of the provisions of Section 156.19 of this chapter shall be conducted upon request, on a complaint basis and/or through a program of regular rental inspections. Regular inspections shall be conducted as determined by resolution of the Council.