§ 15.10.140. Roominghouses, rooming units, dormitories, dormitory rooms.

A.

No person shall operate a roominghouse or dormitory, or shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any dormitory room and/or rooming unit in any roominghouse or dormitory, which is not in compliance with the appropriate provisions of every section of this chapter. No owner or other person shall occupy or let to another person any rooming unit or dormitory room unless it is clean and sanitary, and complies with all applicable requirements of the municipality.

B.

The following provisions shall apply in all roominghouses and dormitories:

1.

Cooking in dormitory rooms and rooming units, other than with microwaves or similar devices with no exposed hot surface or flame, is prohibited.

2.

Communal cooking and dining facilities in a roominghouse are prohibited, except as approved by the Anchorage Health Department in writing.

3.

All food service and dining facilities provided in a roominghouse or dormitory for the occupants of the roominghouse or dormitory shall comply with applicable food service legislation.

4.

Access doors to rooming units and dormitory rooms shall have operating locks to ensure privacy.

5.

Every rooming unit shall comply with all the requirements of this chapter pertaining to a habitable room.

6.

Every rooming unit occupied for sleeping purposes by one person shall contain at least 70 square feet of floorspace, and every rooming unit occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one person shall contain at least 50 square feet of floorspace for each occupant thereof, except that every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one occupant and containing a bunk bed shall contain at least 35 square feet of floorspace for each occupant using a bunk bed and 50 square feet of floorspace for each occupant not using a bunk bed. Every rooming unit shall contain also at least four square feet of closet space for each occupant with at least an unobstructed height of five feet. If the closet space is lacking in whole or in part, space of the amount of the deficiency shall be subtracted from the area of the habitable room space when determining occupancy.

7.

Every rooming unit shall have immediate access to egress, as required by the appropriate statutes, ordinances and regulations of this municipality and the State of Alaska.

8.

Structurally sound handrails shall be provided on any steps containing four risers or more. Porches, patios and balconies located more than three feet higher than the adjacent areas shall have structurally sound protective guardrails or handrails.

9.

Access to or egress from each rooming unit shall be provided without passing through any other rooming unit.

( AO No. 2016-76(S), § 6, 7-12-16 ; AO No. 2018-118 , § 2, 1-1-19)