Whenever a zoning plan and building code have been officially adopted by the council, authorization is hereby given the council to establish a housing code, upon recommendation of the commission, for the incorporated municipality. Whenever a zoning plan and building code have been officially adopted by the council and board for their respective jurisdictions, authorization is hereby given the board to establish a housing code for the area over which it exercises zoning jurisdiction, upon recommendation of the commission.

A housing code established under the terms of this act shall establish minimum equipment and facility standards relating to health and sanitation including standards for lighting; heating; ventilation; garbage and waste disposal; sewage disposal; water supply; and egress. Standards shall be established for the general sanitary condition of the dwelling unit; sanitary equipment; heating equipment; chimney and flues, the storage of inflammable liquids, wiring, and other fire hazards; pest infestation; internal structural repair; external structural repair; dampness; and other factors relating to health and sanitation. Minimum standards for condition of occupancy shall be established relative to general room crowding and area crowding for sleeping and nonsleeping area and relative to mixing business and living uses in the same area or structure.

A housing code established under the authorization of this act shall be based on a comprehensive survey of the actual condition of structures and environmental surroundings in the area as they relate to quality of housing, and shall be drawn to apply to all types of dwellings, and the environment thereof, used for human occupancy in the area. The enforcement and administration of the housing code shall be conducted by the inspector of the city and the inspecting officer of the county who shall advise with and work in conjunction with the city and county health departments in such administration. Administration and enforcement shall be carried out on a systematic inspection basis designed to apply quality of housing standards equally throughout the area. Enforcement of the housing code shall be coordinated with the enforcement program of the building code, construction codes and zoning regulations of the city and county respectively.

Regulations authorized by this section shall not be adopted, changed, or amended by the council or board until a public hearing has been held thereon by the commission.

Added by Laws 1957, p. 137, § 27, emerg. eff. May 31, 1957.