HomeMy WebLinkAboutORDINANCES-1986-116-O-86HB 10/16/86
11/11/86
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AN ORDINANCE
Amending the Evanston Housing Code, Title 5,
Chapter 1, of the'City Code of the City of
• Evanston, 1979, as Amended, by Adoption of the
B.O.C.A. Basic/National Existing Structures Code
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS:
SECTION 1: That Title 5, Chapter 1, of the
City Code of the City of Evanston, 1979,
as amended, be and hereby is further amended in its entirety by
the addition of the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 1
EXISTING STRUCTURES CODE
SECTION:
5-1-1: Adoption of B.O.C.A. Basic/National Existing
Structures Code
5-1-2: Application
5-1-3: Amendments to the Code
5-1-4: Severability
•
5-1-1: ADOPTION OF B.O.C.A. BASIC/NATIONAL EXISTING
STRUCTURES CODE:'
(A) Pursuant to the authority granted by Chapter 24,
Section 1-2-4, of the Illinois Revised Statutes and
pursuant to its home rule powers, the City of
Evanston hereby adopts by reference as its standard
for the maintenance of existing buildings for human
occupancy and habitation the B.O.C.A. Basic/National
Existing Structures Code, First Edition, 1984, with
the amendments below stated. All advisory or text
notes, other than the rules and regulations contained
in the B.O.C.A. Basic/National Existing Structures
Code, First Edition, 1984, be and the same are hereby
expressly excluded from this Chapter.
(B) Any reference in the B.O.C.A. Code to "code official"
shall refer to the City Manager or his or her
authorized representative. Any reference to
"municipality" shall mean the City of Evanston.
5-1-2: APPLICATION: The B.O.C.A. Basic/National I
Existing Structures Code, First Ed., 1984, shall
apply to all matters concerning the protection of public
health, safety and welfare in all existing structures,
• residential and nonresidential, and on all existing
premises in the City of Evanston as provided in the Code.
5-1-3: AMENDMENTS TO THE CODE: The following sections
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of the B.O.C.A. Basic/National Existing Structures Code,
First Ed., 1984, are deleted as noted or amended to read
as follows:
(A) ARTICLE 1
ES-100.1 Title: These regulations shall be known as
the Existing Structures Code of the City of Evanston,
• hereinafter referred to as the Existing Structures
Code or "this Code."
ES-100.5 Application of Other Codes: Any repairs or
alterations to a structure, or changes of use
therein, which may be caused directly by the
enforcement of this Code, shall be done in accordance
with the procedures and provisions of the building
code, plumbing code, mechanical code and fire
prevention code.
ES-107.3 Service: Such service shall be deemed to be
properly served upon such owner if a copy thereof is
delivered to the owner personally; or by leaving the
notice at the usual place of abode, in the presence
of someone in the family of suitable age and
discretion who shall be informed of the contents
thereof; or by certified or registered mail addressed
to the owner at the last known address with return
receipt requested; or if the certified or registered
letter is returned with receipt showing that it has
not been delivered, by posting a copy thereof in a
conspicuous place in or about the structure affected
by such a notice, and placing at least one
publication of such notice in a local newspaper of
general circulation; or by regular mail addressed to
the owner at the last known address unless other
• notice is required by state statute or city
ordinance.
ES-110.2 Penalty: Any person, firm or corporation,
or,other entity who shall violate any provision of
this Code shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject
to a fine of not less than $25.00 nor more than
$500.00. Each day that a violation continues after
due notice has been served, in accordance with the
terms and provisions hereof, shall be deemed a
separate offense.
ES-111.2 Appeals Board: In order to protect existing
structures in the jurisdiction by vigorous
enforcement of the provisions of the code, there
shall be and is hereby created a code appeals board,
hereafter referred to as the board, consisting of
seven members who shall be appointed by the Mayor
with the advice and consent of the City Council.
ES-111.2.1 Membership.: The board membership shall
consist of two licensed professional engineers or
architects; a builder or a superintendent of building
construction; the Director of Public Health; the Fire
Chief; the Director of Housing and Property Services;
the Director of Building and Zoning, as voting
members, with the Director of Housing Rehabilitation
and Property Maintenance as an ex officio non -voting
• member.
Each member shall have been a resident of the
jurisdiction for at least one year prior to
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appointment. The Mayor, with the advice and consent
of the City Council, may appoint for a term of one
year an alternate member of such board -in addition to
the seven members above provided for, who shall act
with full pcwer only when a member of the board
refuses to vote because of interest or when a member
is absent. The City Manager may appoint a City staff
member to act as secretary of the board. .
• ES-111.2.2 Vote:. The board shall hear all appeals
relative to the enforcement of this code, and by a
concurring vote of the majority of its members may
reverse or affirm wholly or partly, or may modify,
the decision appealed from, and shall make such order
or determination as in its opinion ought to be made.
Failure to secure such concurring votes shall be
deemed a confirmation of the decision of the code
official.
The decision of the board shall not be final and
binding until reviewed by the Planning and
Development Committee at its next regularly scheduled
meeting following issuance of the board's decision.
The Committee shall have authority to reverse or
affirm wholly or in part, or modify, the decision of
the board by the concurring vote of a majority,
except that failure of the Committee to act or to
reach a concurring vote shall constitute approval of
the board's decision.
ES-112.4 Restraining Actions: Anyone affected by any
such order shall within thirty (30) days after
service of such order apply to a court of record for
an order restraining the code official from razing
and removing such structure or parts thereof. Such
order shall not be construed to be a notice subject
• to appeal rights specified in Section ES-111.1. The
Court shall determine whether the order of the code
official is reasonable, and if found reasonable, the
court shall dissolve the restraining order, and if
found not reasonable, the court shall continue the
restraining order or modify it as the circumstances
may require.
(B) ARTICLE 2
ES-200.3 Terms. Defined in Other Codes: Where terms
are not defined in this article and are defined in
the building, plumbing or mechanical codes, or in the
Evanston Zoning Ordinance, they shall have the same
meanings ascribed to them as in those codes.
ES-201.0 APPLIED MEANINGS OF WORDS AND TERMS:
Family: Delete.
(C) ARTICLE 3
ES-301.6 Weeds: All areas shall be kept free from
weeds or plant growth in excess of 8 inches (203.2
mm). Weeds shall be -defined as all grasses, annual
plants and vegetation other than trees or shrubs
provided, however, this term shall not include
• cultivated flowers and gardens. It shall be the duty
of any person owning, leasing, occupying, or
controlling any plot of ground in the jurisdiction to
prevent the growth of weeds thereon.
ES-302.3.1 Foundation Walls: All foundation walls
shall be maintained so as to carry the safe design
and operating dead and live loads and shall be
maintained plumb and free from open cracks and
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breaks, so as not to be detrimental to public safety
and welfare. Cracks, breaks, or holes in a
foundation wall shall be repaired when they exceed
1/16 inch in width, 1Z inch in diameter, or where
there are more than 4 holes less than 11 inch in
diameter on a plane.
ES-302.3.2 Exterior Walls: Every exterior wall shall
• be free of holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or
timbers, and any other conditions which might admit
rain or dampness to the interior portions of the
walls or to the. occupied spaces of the building. All
exterior surface materials, including wood,
composition, or metal siding, shall be maintained
weatherproof and shall be properly surface coated
when required to prevent deterioration. Deteriorated
surface protective materials in one location
exceeding 36 square inches,. or 9 linear inches on a
frame,, or lesser areas that occur in more than 5
locations on a plane, shall be repaired.
ES-302.3.7 Stairs and Porches: Every stair, porch,
fire escape, balcony, and all appurtenances attached
thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use
and capable of supporting the anticipated loads and
shall be maintained in sound condition -and good
repair. Every stair or step shall have uniform
risers and uniform treads with non-skid surfaces.
Risers shall not exceed 8 inches in height and treads
shall not be less than 9 inches in width. Every
stair, porch and fire escape shall be maintained free
of hazardous conditions such as snow, ice, mud and
other debris.
Every flight of stairs which is more than four risers
high shall have a handrail on at least one side of
• the stair, and every open portion of a.stair, fire
escape, porch, landing or balcony which is more than
30 inches.(762 mm) above the grade below shall have
guardrails. Handrails shall be not less than 30
inches (762 mm) nor more than 34 inches (864 mm)
high, measured vertically above the nosing of the
treads. Guardrails shall be not less than 30 inches
(762 mm) high above the floor of the porch, landing
or balcony. Every handrail and guardrail shall be
firmly fastened and capable of bearing normally
imposed loads and shall be maintained in good
condition.
ES-302.4 Window and Door Frames: Every window,
skylight, door and frame shall be constructed and
maintained in such relation to the adjacent wall
construction so as to exclude rain as completely as
possible, and to substantially exclude wind from
entering the.dwelling or structure.
ES-302.4.1 Weathertight: Every window, skylight, and
exterior door shall be fitted reasonably.in its frame
and be weathertight. Weather stripping shall be used
to exclude wind or rain from entering the dwelling or
structure and shall be kept in sound condition and
good repair.
• ES-302.4.2 Glazing: Every required window sash shall
be fully supplied with approved glazing materials
which are without open cracks and holes. Cracks in
window glass exceeding 2 inches in length shall be
repaired by replacement of the window pane.
ES-302.4.4 Insect Screens: During the period from
April 1 to November 1 for residential structures, and
from April 1 to December 1 for all other structures,
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every door and window or other outside opening used
for ventilation purposes serving any building
containing habitable rooms, food preparation areas,;
food service areas, or any areas where products used
in food for human consumption are processed,
manufactured, packaged or stored, shall be supplied
with approved tight fitting screens of not less than
16 mesh per inch and every swinging screen door shall
• have a self -closing device in good working condition.
Screens having holes larger than 1/2 inch in diameter
shall be replaced. Screens having more than 4 holes
between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch shall be replaced.
Exception: Screen doors shall not be required for
out -swinging doors or other types of openings which
make screening impractical, provided other approved
means such as air curtains or insect repellent fans
are employed.
ES-303.3 Interior Surfaces: Floors, walls (including
windows and doors), ceilings, and other interior
surfaces shall be maintained in good, clean and
sanitary condition. .Peeling paint, cracked or loose
plaster, decayed wood, and other defective surface
conditions shall be eliminated.
Cracks other than hairline, except where there is,
water infiltration or seepage or where the
surrounding material is jeopardized, are to be
repaired. Deteriorating, loose or missing paint,
wall paper, or plaster is to be repaired if there is
one location of more than 4 inches by 4 inches, or
where there are more than 2 smaller areas on one
plane. Holes more than one inch in diameter are to
be repaired and painted; smaller holes are to be
repaired if there are more than 4 on any one plane,
• or where they endanger personal safety. All loose
materials are to be removed. Surfaces are to be
clean, sanitary, and properly sealed by paint or
other washable compounds.
ES-303.3.2 Bathroom and Kitchen Floors: Every
toilet, bathroom and kitchen floor surface and
juncture with the wall shall be constructed and
maintained so as to be substantially impervious to
water and so as to permit such floor to be easily
kept in a clean and sanitary condition. This
provision shall not be interpreted as preventing the
use of carpeting.
ES-303.7 Exit Doors: Double cylinder locks shall be
prohibited from use on exit doors to dwelling units
when such exit doors are located in dwelling units
with only a single means of egress or ingress.
ES-303.8.1 Exit Facilities: All interior stairs and
railings and other exit facilities of every structure
shall be maintained in sound condition and good
repair by replacing treads and risers that evidence
excessive wear or are broken, warped or loose. Every
inside stair or step shall have uniform risers and
uniform treads with non-skid surfaces. Risers shall
not exceed eight inches (8") in height and treads
• shall not be less than nine inches (9") in width.
(D) ARTICLE 4
ES-403.1.1 Privacy: Hotel units, lodging units,
dormitory units and rooming units shall be designed
to provide privacy, and be separate from other
adjoining spaces.. Access doors to.hotel, lodging,
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dormitory and rooming units shall have operating
locks to ensure privacy.
ES-404.4 Minimum Ceiling Heights: Habitable spaces
shall have a clear ceiling height over the minimum
area required by this code at not less than 7-1/3
feet (2235 mm), except that in attics or top
half -stories the ceiling height shall be not less
• than 7 feet (2134 mm) over not less than one-third of
the minimum area required by this code when used for
sleeping, study or similar activity. In calculating
the floor area of such rooms, only those portions of
the floor area of the room having a clear ceiling
height of 5 feet (1524 mm) or more may be included.
Exception: Structures in existence on the date of
adoption of this code, with ceiling heights less than
7-1/3 feet shall be exempted from this provision.
Previously existing ceilings shall be considered as
legally nonconforming and will not be required to
seek variations before the appeals board.
(E) ARTICLE 5
ES-501.4 Sanitation: Toilet rooms for employees
shall be equipped with a basin with hot and cold
running water for the use of employees.
ES-503.1 General: All plumbing fixtures shall be
maintained in a safe and usable condition. All
plumbing fixtures shall be of approved nonabsorbent
material. No more than nine (9) square inches of
chipped or worn porcelain shall be permitted on any
plumbing fixture.
• ES-503.6 Walls: Every room containing a flush water
closet, a bathtub, and/or a shower shall have walls
covered by a smooth, easily cleanable, non -toxic,
non -corrosive, non -absorbent and waterproof material
up to a height of at least forty-eight inches (48")
except the walls of a built-in shower or shower stall
shall have such walls to a height of at least
seventy-two inches (72"). Such walls shall form a
watertight joint with each other and with the
bathtub, shower, or the floor.
ES-504.3 Supply: The water supply system shall be
installed and maintained to provide at all times a
supply of water to plumbing fixtures, devices, and
appurtenances in sufficient volume and at pressures
adequate to enable them to function satisfactorily.
Water pressure shall be no lower at the fixture
outlet than the following minimums:.lavatory basins,
two (2) gallons/minute; sink faucets and shower
heads, three (3) gallons/minute; bathtub faucets,
four (4) gallons/minute; toilet pressure, as required
by the BOCA Basic Plumbing Code as adopted by the
City of Evanston.
ES-504.4 Water Heating Facilities: Where hot water is
provided, water heating facilities shall be installed
in an approved manner, properly maintained, and
properly connected with hot water lines to the
• fixtures required to be supplied with the hot water.
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Water heating facilities shall be capable of heating
water to such a temperature as to permit an adequate
amount of water to be drawn at every required kitchen
sink, lavatory basin, bathtub, shower, and laundry
facility or other similarunits, at a.temperature of
not less than 115 degrees F. (46 degrees C.).
(F) ARTICLE 6
• ES-601.1 Residential Buildinqs: Every owner of any
structure who.rents, leases, or lets one or more
dwelling units or guest rooms on terms, either
express or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants
thereof shall supply sufficient heat to maintain in
all habitable spaces, bathrooms, and toilet rooms a
room temperature of not less than (1) 65 degrees F.
(18 degrees C.) during the hours between 6:00 a.m.
and 8:00 a.m, of each day; (2) 68 degrees F. (20
degrees C.) during the hours from 8:00 a.m..to 10:30
p.m.; and not less than 60 degrees F. (16 degrees C.)
during other hours, all provided that the exterior
temperature is above -10 degrees F. The temperature
shall be measured at a point 3 feet (914 mm.) above
the floor and 3 feet (914 mm.) from exterior walls.
ES-601.4.5 Unauthorized Devices: Devices purporting
to reduce gas consumption by attachment to a gas
appliance, to the gas supply line thereto, or the
vent outlet or vent piping therefrom shall not be
used unless labeled for such use and the installation
is specifically approved. All space heaters are
prohibited where employed as permanent heating
equipment for a dwelling or dwelling unit.
ES-601.6 Climate Control: If facilities for interior
• climate control of heating, cooling, and/or humidity
are integral functions of structures containing
dwelling units or rooming units, such facilities
shall be maintained and operated continuously when
necessary for the health and comfort of the occupants
and in accordance with the designed capacity of the
installed equipment. During instances when the
integral equipment is temporarily inoperative because
of power or mechanical failure, alternative
provisions for ventilation of each dwelling shall be
provided.
(G) ARTICLE 7
ES-701.2 Exits: Exits from dwelling units, hotel
units, lodging houses, and dormitory units shall not
lead through other such units, or through toilet
rooms or bathrooms.
(H) ARTICLE 8
ES-801.9 Rodent Harborage; Owners and Occupants: No
owner or occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit
shall accumulate rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal,
or any other materials so that rodent harborage
exists in or about any dwelling or dwelling unit.
Stored materials shall be stacked neatly in piles
elevated at least eighteen (18) inches above the
• ground or floor. No stacking or piling of materials
shall take place against or within twelve (12) inches
of the exterior walls of any structure.
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ES-801.10 Rodent Harborage; Owners: No owner of a
dwelling containing two (2) or more dwelling units
shall accumulate or permit the accumulation of
rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal, or any other
materials so that a rodent harborage exists in or
about the shared or public areas of a dwelling or its
premises. Materials stored by the owner or permitted
to be stored by the owners shall be stacked neatly in
piles elevated at least eighteen (18) inches above
the ground floor.
(I) ARTICLE 9
ES-903.4 Gangway Lighting: All residential buildings
and buildings that have regular ingress and egress
during nighttime hours (between dusk and dawn) shall
maintain exterior lighting of stairway entrance areas
equivalent to an illumination of at least a 60 watt
standard incandescent light bulb.
SECTION ES-907.0 CHEMICAL HAZARDS
ES-907.1 Identification: Every owner of a dwelling
or dwelling unit shall ensure that such dwelling or
dwelling units are free from chemical hazards as
shall be identified and published by the Director of
Health. Such identification shall include maximum
allowable concentrations which are deemed to be
non -hazardous to health. Chemical hazards shall
include but not be limited to lead -based paint on
surfaces accessible to children, friable asbestos,
hazardous wood preserving compounds, formaldehyde,
etc.
ES-907.2 Removal and Disposal: Every owner of a
. dwelling or dwelling unit in which an identified
chemical hazard exists shall be responsible for the
prompt safe removal and proper disposal of said
chemical or shall take other remedial measures as may
be recommended by the Director of Health.
ES-907.3 Occupant Responsibility:
Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall
ensure that any chemical substance introduced by them
into, or used by them within a dwelling, dwelling
unit, or on the premises of dwelling shall be
applied, maintained, and/or used so as not to create
a health hazard to the other occupants and/or their
guests.
5-1-4: SEVERABILITY: It is the intention of the
City Council thatthe provisions of this Chapter
and the B.O.C.A. Basic/National Existing Structures Code,
First Ed., 1984, are severable and the invalidity of any
section or part of any section of this Chapter and the
Code hereby adopted shall not affect any other section or
portion of the said Chapter or Code.
SECTION 3: All ordinances or parts of ordinances
in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
• SECTION 4: This ordinance shall be in full force
and effect from and after its passage,
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•
approval, and publication in the manner provided by law.
Introduced:,/ 1986.
Adopted: y .1986.
7TTEST.:
J
City Clerk'
Appr died as to form:
Corpora-ionlCounsel
•
0
Approved:1986.
i
G—` Mayor