Article III - General Requirements

48-31. General
  1. Scope. The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum conditions and the responsibilities of persons for maintenance of structures, equipment and exterior property.
  2. Responsibility. The owner of the premises shall maintain the structures and exterior property in compliance with these requirements, except as otherwise provided for in this Code. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy premises which are not in a sanitary and safe condition and which do not comply with the requirements of this section. Occupants of a dwelling unit, rooming unit or housekeeping unit are responsible for keeping in a clean, sanitary and safe condition that part of the dwelling unit, rooming unit, housekeeping unit or premises which they occupy and control.
48-32. Through 48-33. (Reserved)
48-34. Exterior Structure
  1. General. The exterior of a structure shall be maintained so as not to pose a threat to the public health, safety or welfare.
  2. Premises identification. A sign indicating the address of a property shall be provided as required by Henderson County Code, Chapter 41, Property Addressing.
  3. Structural members. All structural members shall be capable of safely supporting the imposed dead and live loads.
  4. Foundation walls. All foundation walls shall be free from open cracks and breaks and shall be kept in such condition so as to prevent the entry of water, rodents and other pests.
  5. Exterior walls. All exterior walls shall be free from holes and breaks.
  6. Roofs and drainage. The roof and flashing shall be sound, tight and not have defects that admit rain.
  7. Window, skylight and door frames. Every window, skylight, door and frame shall be kept weather tight.
  8. Building security. Doors, windows or hatchways for dwelling units, room units or housekeeping units shall be provided with devices designed to provide security for the occupants and property within.
48-35. Interior Structure
  1. General. The interior of a structure and equipment therein shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and in a sanitary condition. Occupants shall keep that part of the structure which they occupy or control in a clean and sanitary condition. Every owner of a structure containing a rooming house, housekeeping units, a dormitory, or two or more dwelling units, shall maintain, in a clean and sanitary condition, the shared or public areas of the structure and exterior property. Conditions in the structure shall be maintained to prevent the growth of mold. Situations which cause mold should be addressed immediately.
48-36. Through 48-37. (Reserved)
48-38. Extermination
  1. Infestation. All structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. All structures in which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation.
  2. Owner. The owner of any structure shall be responsible for extermination within the structure prior to renting or leasing the structure.
  3. Single occupant. The occupant of a one-family dwelling or of a single-tenant structure shall be responsi- ble for extermination on the premises.
  4. Multiple occupancy. The owner of a structure containing two or more dwelling units, a multiple occupancy, townhouse, a rooming house or a structure shall be responsible for extermination in the public or shared areas of the structure and exterior property. If infestation is caused by failure of an occu- pant to prevent such infestation in the area occupied, the occupant shall be responsible for extermination.
  5. Occupant. The occupant of any structure shall be responsible for the continued rodent and pest-free condition of the structure.
    1. Exception: Where the infestations are caused by defects in the structure, the owner shall be responsible for extermination.
48-39. Through 48-40. (Reserved)