§ 12-142. First or ground floor regulations.

(a)

As the requirements for rodent-proofing of the first or ground floor of buildings depend on the type of construction and its condition, the presence of a rodent-proof basement under it, the depth the foundation extends below the surface of the ground, the nature of the business establishment, the degree of rodent infestation, the results of measures to eradicate rodents and other factors, the Health Officer shall prescribe and require such corrective measures as he deems necessary for each business building, being guided as far as possible by the following specifications:

(1)

If the first or ground floor of a business building is constructed of cement, tile, or other material impervious to rodent gnawing and does not have a basement or cellar under the entire floor area which can be satisfactorily rodent-proofed, the Health Officer will require that all actual or potential openings through which rodents may gain entrance, such as those around pipes, wires, or other installations, those caused by defects of any kind and those where the floor and side walls join, shall be properly sealed with cement, mortar, masonry, metal collars, metal flashing of twenty-six (26) gauge or heavier, or any other suitable material as indicated, and that open drains or pipes through which rodents may pass shall be securely capped with perforated iron or other metal having openings not greater than one-half (1/2) inch in diameter;

(2)

Whenever rodents are found to be harboring under wooden platforms or secondary wooden floors built over cement floors the Health Officer may require the complete removal of such wooden platforms or floors or that they be lowered to a distance not exceeding one-half (1/2) inch above the cement floor; and,

(3)

If the first or ground floors of business buildings are constructed of wood, and do not have basements or cellars extending under their entire area that can be satisfactorily rodent-proofed, the Health Officer may require whichever of the following procedures he deems necessary:

(A)

That all actual or potential openings in the floor through which rodents may gain entrance be sealed with metal of twenty-four (24) gauge or heavier.

(B)

That the junction of the floors with the sidewalls be flashed with twenty-four (24) gauge or heavier metal which shall extend six (6) inches or more on the floor and four (4) or more inches upon the sidewalls.

(C)

That all drains or open pipes through which rodents may pass be capped with perforated iron or other metal having openings not greater than one-half (1/2) inch in diameter.

(D)

That if buildings are built on piers so that the distance between the ground and lower surface of the joists is less than eighteen (18) inches, or the foundation of the building is not impervious to rodent gnawing, or the foundation does not extend thirty-six (36) inches below the ground surface, a cement curtain will be installed around the entire periphery of the building. This curtain wall shall tie in tightly with the foundation or side wall of the building. It shall be at least four (4) inches thick and extend thirty-six (36) inches below the surface of the ground, or it shall be constructed in the form of an L with the vertical portion eighteen (18) inches or more below the ground surface, and the lower horizontal and extending outwards eight (8) or more inches from the vertical section.

(E)

That when part of the ground or first floor is constructed of wood and part of cement, it may be required that the wooden portion be replaced with cement.

(F)

That when the condition of the floor and the degree of rodent infestation warrant, it may be required that wood flooring be replaced by properly installed cement or other form of flooring impervious to gnawing by rodents.

(G)

That in lieu of curtain walls and other measures necessary to rodent-proof wooden floored buildings the responsible person may elect to replace the wooden floors with properly installed cement or other suitable flooring.

(Ord. and Res. 1963, Sec. 9-12; CB-127-1987)