§ 20. Minimum Standards for Base Equipment and Facilities.

Every applicable dwelling unit and its premises shall conform to this Section unless otherwise stated herein, the owner and/or operator shall be responsible to provide or supply and maintain all required equipment and facilities. The installation of sub-meters to measure water usage shall be required as described in Article II, Section 154-115 of the City Code for newly constructed multifamily or mixed use buildings containing residential units.

(a)

Bathroom. Each dwelling unit shall contain a bathroom.

(1)

The bathroom shall be a room containing no less than thirty-five (35) square feet in area within the exterior walls of the unit and shall afford privacy to a person therein. When existing buildings do not meet these standards, alternative arrangements of fixtures and space may be approved by the Director;

(2)

The bathroom shall contain a flush water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower and an approved interior door and latch to afford privacy to the occupant. Plumbing and other fixtures shall be maintained in good operating condition and shall be free from leaks, defects, obstructions and other unsanitary conditions.

(b)

Kitchen. Every dwelling unit not within a dormitory shall contain a kitchen within the outside walls of the unit. The kitchen shall contain a kitchen sink, separate and apart from the lavatory basin required under subsection (a) (2) herein, along with cabinets or shelves for storage of equipment and utensils, work space and adequate space for a stove and a refrigerator. Plumbing and other fixtures shall be maintained in good operating condition and shall be free from leaks, defects, obstructions and other unsanitary conditions.

(c)

Water supply and sewer system. Every kitchen sink, lavatory basin, bathtub, shower, flush water closet or other plumbing appurtenances shall be properly connected to an approved water supply and public sewer or to an approved sewerage disposal system. All sinks, lavatory basins, bathtubs and showers shall be supplied with both hot and cold running water and shall be maintained in good operating condition. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner, operator or agent to furnish the required water supply to the occupants of dwelling units in buildings containing or designed to contain two or more dwelling units which are served by the same water meter.

(d)

Water Heating Facilities. Every dwelling shall contain water heating facilities which shall be properly connected with the hot water lines required under the provisions of Subsection (c) hereinabove and which shall be maintained in good operating condition. Such facilities shall be capable of heating water so as to permit a reasonable amount of water for ordinary usage to be drawn at any required kitchen sink, lavatory basin, bathtub or shower at a temperature of not less than one hundred (100°) degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable time after fully opening the fixture outlet. All water heating facilities shall be properly installed and provided with all appropriate safety valves and vents as required by the City of Atlanta Plumbing, Gas and Mechanical Codes.

(e)

Means of Egress. The provisions of the National Fire Prevention Association, Life Safety Code of 1981 for existing dwellings are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Code.

(f)

Smoke Detectors. Approved smoke detectors shall be installed on each level of every dwelling unit, which when activated shall give an alarm audible in all sleeping areas.

(g)

Garbage Facilities. Every dwelling unit shall have adequate serviceable garbage facilities or covered garbage storage containers of the size and type prescribed by the City's Bureau of Sanitary Services.

(Ord. No. 2009-14 (09-O-0285), § 2, 3-24-09)

State law reference

Constitutional authority to adopt building code, Ga. Const. art. IX, § II, ¶ III(a)(12).

Charter reference

Adoption of standard codes of technical regulations by reference, § 2-404.