Taylorville CHAPTER 6 RENTAL PROPERTY § 9-6-3
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LIGHT, VENTILATION, HEAT AND RODENT CONTROL
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 therein which does not comply with the following requirements: A. Light and Ventilation: 1. Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum total window area, measured between stops, for every habitable room shall be seven percent (7%) of the floor area of such room. Whenever walls or other portions of structures face a window of any such room, and such light-obstruction structures are located less than three feet (3') from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area. Whenever the only window in a room is a skylight-type window in the top of such room, the total window area of such skylight shall equal at least fifteen percent (15%) of the total floor area of such room. 2. Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight which can easily be opened or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. The total of openable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to at least forty five percent (45%) of the minimum window area size or minimum skylight-type window size, except where there is supplied some other device affording adequate ventilation and approved by the Health and Building Officer. 3. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms contained in this Chapter; except, that no windows or skylight shall be required in adequately ventilated bathrooms and water closet compartments equipped with a mechanical ventilation system capable of exhausting twenty five (25) cubic feet of air per minute which is kept in operating condition and approved by the Health and Building Officer. 4. When there is an electric power line available in a street, alley or utility easement abutting the lot or land upon which a dwelling is situated or such line is available over or under such lot or land, 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 water 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, shall be maintained in good and safe working condition and shall be connected to the source of electric power in conformance with the Electrical Code. 1 5. Every public hall and stairway in every multiple dwelling containing four (4) or more dwelling units shall be adequately lighted at all times. Every public hall and stairway in structures devoted solely to dwelling occupancy and containing not more than three (3) dwelling units may be supplied with conveniently located light switches, controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on when needed instead of full-time lighting. B. Heat: 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 degrees (70°) Fahrenheit at a distance of three feet (3') above floor level when the temperature outside if zero degrees (0°) Fahrenheit. C. Rodent Control: Every basement or cellar window used or intended to be used for ventilation and every other opening to a basement which might provide an entry for rodents shall be supplied with a screen or such other device as will effectively prevent their entrance. (1979 Code Ch. 18, Art. VIII, §6) Notes 1 1. See subsection 9-3-2 A of this Title.
Taylorville CHAPTER 6 RENTAL PROPERTY § 9-6-3 establishes baseline physical standards that every dwelling or dwelling unit must meet before it can be occupied or rented. These standards cover natural and artificial light, ventilation (including openable windows and mechanical systems), heating capacity sufficient to reach 70°F in living spaces during freezing outdoor temperatures, and rodent-proofing of basement openings. No dwelling may be occupied—whether by an owner or a tenant—unless all of these conditions are satisfied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 9-6-3, compliant rental operators ensure that every habitable room provides the required window area (at least 7% of floor area), adequate openable ventilation, and properly installed electrical outlets or fixtures whenever utility power is available on the property. Heating systems must be maintained in safe working order and capable of reaching 70°F at three feet above floor level when outside temperatures drop to zero. Basement and cellar openings that could admit rodents must be screened or otherwise sealed, and bathrooms without windows must have an approved mechanical ventilation system exhausting at least 25 cubic feet of air per minute.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
§ 9-6-3 gives occupants the right to live in a dwelling that meets minimum standards for light, ventilation, heat, and rodent control—conditions that must be present before a unit is legally rented or occupied. If a unit lacks adequate heating, proper window area, working electrical fixtures, or rodent-proof basement openings, that may constitute a violation of this provision, which tenants can raise when communicating with a landlord, documenting conditions, or contacting Taylorville's Health and Building Officer. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand the general enforcement paths available under this chapter.
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 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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