Palatine — Ch. 12 Existing Structures Maintenance and Occupancy § 12-1

(a) Intent. It is hereby declared that the intent of this chapter is to protect, preserve and promote the physical and mental health and social well-being of the people, to prevent and control the incidence of communicable diseases, to reduce environmental hazards to health, to regulate privately and publicly owned dwellings for the purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and public health, to protect the safety of the people, and to promote the general welfare by legislation, which shall be applicable to all dwellings and commercial properties now in existence or hereafter constructed. It is hereby further declared that the purpose of this chapter is to ensure that the quality of buildings and structures are adequate for protection of public health, safety and general welfare, including establishment of minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities for light, ventilation and thermal conditions; for safety from fire and accidents; for the use and location and amount of space for human occupancy; for an adequate level of maintenance; a determination of the responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants of dwellings and commercial properties; and provision for the administration and enforcement thereof.
(b) Legislative finding. It is hereby found that there exists and may exist in the future within the village premises, commercial properties, dwelling units or parts thereof which, by reason of their structure, equipment, sanitation, maintenance, use or occupancy, affect, or are likely to affect, adversely the public health (including the physical, mental and social well-being of persons and families), safety and general welfare. To correct and prevent the existence of such adverse conditions, and to achieve and maintain such levels of residential environmental quality as will protect and promote public health, safety and general welfare, it is further found that the establishment and enforcement of minimum existing structure maintenance and occupancy standards are required.
(c) Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all residential and nonresidential structures and all existing premises and constitute minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, protection from the elements, life safety, safety from fire and other hazards, and for safe and sanitary maintenance; the responsibility of owners, operators and occupants; the occupancy of structures and premises of all buildings and structures within the jurisdiction of the village, irrespective of when or under what code such buildings or structures were originally constructed or rehabilitated, and for administration, enforcement and penalties.