Auburn — Ch. 13 Art. VI Minimum Housing Standards § 13-105
Minimum standards for basic equipment
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit, for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking or eating therein, which does not comply with the following requirements: (1) All fixtures in such dwelling or dwelling unit required by the provisions of subsections (1), (2), (4) and (5) of this section shall be properly installed and connected to an approved sanitary system and water system. (2) Every dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen sink in good working condition and properly connected to an approved water and sewer system. (3) Every dwelling unit shall contain a room which affords privacy to a person within such room and which is equipped with a flush water closet and a lavatory basin in good working condition, and properly connected to an approved water and sewer system. (4) Every dwelling shall contain, within a room which affords privacy to a person within such room, a bathtub or shower in good working condition, and properly connected to an approved water and sewer system. (5) Every kitchen sink, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower required under subsections (2), (3) and (4) of this section shall be properly connected with cold water lines. Every dwelling shall have supplied water heating facilities, which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and good working condition and are capable of heating water to such temperature as to permit an adequate amount of water to be drawn at every required kitchen sink, lavatory basin, bathtub or shower at a temperature of not less than one hundred twenty (120) degrees Fahrenheit. (6) Every dwelling shall have safe, unobstructed means of egress leading to safe and open space at ground level, as required by the laws of this state. (7) Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors, which can be easily opened, or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. (8) Every dwelling shall be connected to an approved electrical power system; every habitable room of such dwelling shall contain at least two (2) separate floor or wall-type electric convenience outlets, or one such convenience outlet and one supplied ceiling-type electric light fixture and every closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room, public hall and stairway shall contain at least one supplied ceiling or wall-type electric light fixture. Every such outlet and fixture shall be properly installed and shall be maintained in good and safe working condition. (9) Every dwelling shall have heating facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and good working condition, and are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and water closet compartments in every dwelling unit located therein to a temperature of at least seventy (70) degrees Fahrenheit, at a distance of three (3) feet above floor level, when the temperature outside is zero (0) degrees Fahrenheit. (10) Every door opening directly from a dwelling unit to outdoor space intended for ventilation shall have supplied screens and a self-closing device, and every window or other device with openings to outdoor space used or intended to be used for ventilation, shall likewise be supplied with screens as a protection against insects. (11) Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling and roof shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight, and rodent-proof; shall be capable of affording privacy; and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. (12) Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodent-proof; and shall be kept in sound working condition and good repair. (13) Every inside and outside stair, every porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be constructed so as to be safe and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon, and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. (14) Every plumbing fixture and water and waste pipe shall be properly installed and maintained in good sanitary working condition, free from defects, leaks and obstructions. (15) Every water closet compartment floor surface and bathroom floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition. (16) Every supplied facility, piece of equipment, or utility which is required under this article shall be so constructed or installed so that it will function safely and effectively, and shall be maintained in satisfactory working condition. (17) No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required under this article to be removed or shut off from, or discontinued for any occupied dwelling let or occupied by him, except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in progress. (18) No owner shall occupy or let to any other occupant any vacant dwelling unless it is clean, sanitary and fit for human occupancy.
Auburn's Ch. 13 Art. VI § 13-105 establishes a comprehensive set of baseline physical conditions that every dwelling or dwelling unit must meet before it can be occupied. The rule covers a wide range of systems and features — including plumbing, hot water supply (at least 120°F), heating (at least 70°F in habitable rooms), electrical outlets, ventilation, structural soundness, and pest-proofing — and requires that all such systems be properly installed and kept in working order. Owners and occupants alike are prohibited from removing or discontinuing any required service or utility while a unit is occupied, except for brief interruptions during active repairs. No vacant dwelling may be re-occupied unless it is clean, sanitary, and fit for human habitation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Auburn Ch. 13 Art. VI § 13-105 generally ensure that every dwelling unit is equipped with functioning plumbing fixtures (kitchen sink, lavatory, bathtub or shower), hot water capable of reaching at least 120°F, heating systems able to maintain at least 70°F in habitable rooms, adequate electrical outlets and lighting, proper ventilation, and insect screens on applicable doors and windows. Compliant operators keep all required systems — structural, mechanical, and utility — in safe and good working condition at all times and do not remove or shut off any required service while a unit is occupied, except during the course of active repairs. Before re-renting a vacant unit, operators under this section confirm that the dwelling is clean, sanitary, and fit for occupancy.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Auburn Ch. 13 Art. VI § 13-105 gives tenants a baseline expectation that their dwelling will be equipped with functioning plumbing, adequate heat and hot water, proper electrical service, sound structural elements, and other enumerated features from the moment they move in and throughout their tenancy. If a required system or service is missing, broken, or has been shut off by an owner or operator, that may constitute a violation of this section, and tenants can document the conditions and report them to the appropriate local housing or code enforcement authority in Auburn. Tenants may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand how a violation of § 13-105 might be raised as a defense in a housing proceeding or pursued through other available channels.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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