§ 8-59. Minimum housing standards

(a) No owner, operator or other person of an establishment required to be licensed under this article shall rent any dwelling, dwelling unit or structure unless it and the premises are clean, sanitary, safe and fit for human occupancy and comply with the Rhode Island Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code, G.L. 1956, § 45-24.3-1 et seq., and/or G.L. 1956, §§ 23-20-1—23-20-4.

(b) At least one flush water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower, properly connected to a water and sewer system or septic tank approved by the health officer and in good working condition, shall be supplied for each six persons or fraction thereof residing therein.

(c) In every commercial dwelling unit of two or more rooms, every room occupied for sleeping purposes shall contain at least 70 square feet of floorspace for the first occupant and at least 50 square feet of floorspace for each additional occupant.

(d) The operator of a roominghouse shall ascertain that stoves, refrigerators and/or similar devices are safe and efficient.

(e) Every rooming unit above the first floor shall have immediate access to two or more safe, unobstructed means of egress, appropriately marked.

(f) Every room for human occupancy shall meet the minimum standards for house equipment and facilities as specified in the Rhode Island Minimum Housing Law, G.L. 1956, § 45-24.2-1 et seq.

(g) Inspection, prior to issuance of a license, will be made at the convenience of the operator, by the minimum housing standards inspector or such town officer that the town council designates.

(Rev. Ords. 1989, § 8-59)