Article 1919
ROOMING HOUSES AND BED AND BREAKFAST GENERAL STANDARDS
Sections:
1919.01 Maintenance of rooming houses.
1919.02 Maintenance of rooming houses by operator.
1919.03 Occupancy and letting of rooming units.
1919.04 Fire safety standards of rooming houses.
1919.05 Water closets, lavatory basins and bathtubs or showers in rooming houses.
1919.06 Occupancy of cellars prohibited.
1919.07 Occupancy of basement.
1919.08 Standards for bed and breakfast residences.
1919.01 Maintenance of rooming houses.
Every owner and every operator, where any part of a dwelling is used as a rooming house, shall keep the dwelling and premises, including all fences, enclosures and appurtenances, in compliance with the Meadville property maintenance code. (Ord. 3697 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2491 § 901, 1960)
1919.02 Maintenance of rooming houses by operator.
The operator of every rooming house shall be responsible for the sanitary maintenance of all walls, floors and ceilings, and for the maintenance of a sanitary condition in every part of the rooming house. (Ord. 3697 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2491 § 905, 1960. Formerly 1919.05)
1919.03 Occupancy and letting of rooming units.
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any vacant rooming unit, unless it is clean, sanitary, in good maintenance and repair and fit for human occupancy. (Ord. 3697 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2491 § 906, 1960. Formerly 1919.06)
1919.04 Fire safety standards of rooming houses.
Fire safety standards and regulations for all rooming houses in the city shall be in accordance with and shall conform to the fire prevention code of the city. (Ord. 3697 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2615 § 6, 1965. Formerly 1919.07)
1919.05 Water closets, lavatory basins and bathtubs or showers in rooming houses.
None of the flush water closets, lavatory basins, bathtubs or shower facilities for use by occupants of the rooming house shall be located in a basement or cellar except by written approval of the health officer. (Ord. 3697 § 2, 2012)
1919.06 Occupancy of cellars prohibited.
No cellar shall be occupied as a habitable room. This section shall not be construed to prohibit workrooms, playrooms or other recreation rooms in cellars. (Ord. 3697 § 2, 2012)
1919.07 Occupancy of basement.
(A) No basement shall be occupied as a habitable room unless there is compliance with the following requirements:
(1) The floors and walls shall be impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and protected against dampness. The floors shall be constructed of material which is easy to keep in a clean and sanitary condition.
(2) Each room shall be adequately lighted and ventilated and shall have a safe and unobstructed means of egress.
(3) The ceiling height shall be at least seven feet.
(4) There shall be appurtenant to every habitable room a water closet room conforming in design and materials to the laws of the Commonwealth and the ordinances of the city.
(5) The health officer has issued a written license indicating that all the conditions prescribed by this housing code and the rules and regulations issued thereunder have been complied with, and the basement has been found fit for human habitation. The license shall be kept at all times readily accessible in the basement.
(B) In the event the license required by this section is denied, a hearing may be requested in accordance with MMC 1905.05. Any person who occupies or lets for occupancy a basement without a license shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with MMC 1905.09.
(C) This section shall not be construed to prohibit workrooms, playrooms or other recreation rooms in a basement, provided there is compliance with subsections (A)(1) and (A)(2) of this section. (Ord. 3697 § 2, 2012)
1919.08 Standards for bed and breakfast residences.
(A) A bed and breakfast must be occupied by and be the principal residence of the owner(s) and/or operator(s).
(B) There shall be no more than 10 guest bedrooms and no more than four guests per bedroom, and each bedroom must meet the occupancy requirements of the Meadville property maintenance code.
(C) For every two guest bedrooms, there shall be provided a full bathroom facility including a lavatory, water closet and bath, shower or bath/shower combination.
(D) Use by guests shall be temporary only and shall not exceed 14 consecutive days.
(E) Guest rooms shall not have separate cooking facilities.
(F) The premises shall be inspected by city inspectors prior to the commencement of the use and each year thereafter and shall conform to the Meadville property maintenance code and this code as a condition of renewal of the owner’s license.
(G) The bed and breakfast and the dwelling in which the bed and breakfast is operated shall meet the Meadville property maintenance code and all applicable fire safety standards and requirements set forth in city codes.
(H) For the purposes of serving food, bed and breakfasts shall conform to Pennsylvania law and local ordinances governing retail food facilities.
(I) A bed and breakfast may cater occasional on-site events or activities for no more than 40 persons at a time, including, without limitation, wedding rehearsal parties, business meetings, small office parties, and similar events or activities. A bed and breakfast shall not cater or prepare foods for consumption for any off-site event or activity. A bed and breakfast that serves meals other than breakfast, or caters on-site events or activities as described in this article shall be subject to licensing as a retail food facility and all applicable rules and regulations of the Meadville board of health. All necessary licenses or permits issued by county, state or federal agencies shall be presented to the board and required licenses, certificates, or permits shall be a condition for approval.
(J) The owner/operator of any bed and breakfast shall, at all times, maintain the guestrooms, bathroom facilities, residence and premises generally in a clean and sanitary and safe condition, in good maintenance and repair and in compliance with the Meadville property maintenance code, in addition to the requirements of this code. (Ord. 3697 § 2, 2012; Ord. 3244 § 3, 1990)