Basement and cellar rooms.

Sec. 68.

Basement and cellar rooms. No room in the cellar of any dwelling erected prior to the passage of this act shall be occupied for living purposes. And no room in the basement of any such dwelling shall be so occupied without a written permit from the health officer, which permit shall be kept readily accessible in the main living room of the apartment containing such room. No such room shall hereafter be occupied unless all the following conditions are complied with:

Such room shall be at least 7 feet high in every part from the floor to the ceiling.

The ceiling of such room shall be in every part at least 3 feet 6 inches above the surface of the street or ground outside of or adjoining the same.

There shall be appurtenant to such room the use of a water-closet.

At least 1 of the rooms of the apartment of which such room is an integral part shall have a window opening directly to the street or yard, of at least 12 square feet in size clear of the sash frame, and which shall open readily for purposes of ventilation.

The lowest floor shall be water-proof and damp-proof.

Such room shall have sufficient light and ventilation, shall be well drained and dry, and shall be fit for human habitation.

History: 1917, Act 167, Eff. Aug. 10, 1917; CL 1929, 2556; CL 1948, 125.468