CHAPTER NO. 2253

 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CLINTON, IOWA, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 156, MINIMUM HEALTH AND HOUSING STANDARDS.

 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLINTON, IOWA:

 Section 1.  Amendments.  The Code of Ordinances of the City of Clinton, Iowa is amended as follows:

 1.         Delete Section 156.14(5) and insert in lieu thereof the following:

             5.         Be served upon the owner or the operator, provided that such notice shall be deemed to be properly served upon such owner or such operator by means of regular United States Postal Service mail.  Such notice shall contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

 2.         Delete Section 156.17 and insert in lieu thereof the following:

                         Inspection fees and, if needed, reinspection fees, as established City Council resolution, shall be paid within 90 days after initial billing.  In the event the rental inspection fees are not paid within 90 days after the initial billing date, a penalty in the amount of the inspection/reinspection fee due and payable, will be assessed to the property owner.

 3.         Delete Section 156.20(19) and insert in lieu thereof the following:

                         All rental units shall be equipped with safe heating facilities capable of heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closet compartments to at least 68 degrees at a distance of 18 inches above the floor.

 4.         Change Section 156.23(6) to 156.20(20).

 5.         Delete Section 156.23 (7).

 6.         Add the following subsections to Section 156.20:

             21.       Sanitary Maintenance.  The owner of every rental unit shall be responsible for the maintenance and sanitary condition of all public areas therein.

            22.       Hand Railings.  Stairways having 4 or more risers will require 1 hand railing except that such stairways open on 1 said or both sides shall have hand railings provided on the open side or sides.  Hand railings shall be placed not less than 30 inches nor more than 34 inches above the nosing of the treads.  They shall be continuous the full length of the run of the stairs.

                        Hand railings projecting from a wall shall have a space of a standard bracket or a minimum of 1 ½ inches between the wall and the hand railing.  The hand railing portion of the hand rails shall be not less than 1 ¼ inches nor more than 2 inches in cross-sectional dimension and shall have a smooth surface with no sharp corners.

6.         Amend Section 156.24(2) by changing “fifteen (15) days” to “30 days”.

Section 2.       Repealer.  All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.

Section 3.       Severability Clause.  If any section, provision or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.

Section 4.       Effective Date.  This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption and publication as provided by law.

____________________________

LaMetta K. Wynn, MAYOR

Attest:_____________________________

            Deborah K. Neels,

            CITY CLERK

ADOPTED:   February 12, 2002