§ 174-2. Purpose.

It is hereby declared that the purpose of this chapter is to protect, preserve and promote the physical and mental health and social well-being of the people, to minimize the incidence of communicable disease, to regulate privately and publicly owned dwellings for the purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and public health and to protect the safety of the people and to promote the general welfare by regulations which shall be applicable to all dwellings now in existence or hereafter constructed. It is hereby further declared that the purpose of this chapter is to ensure that the quality of housing is adequate for the protection of public health, safety and general welfare. The achievement of this purpose includes the establishment of minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities for healthful living, such as adequate water, waste disposal, bathroom facilities, light, ventilation, heating and cooling, for safety from fire and accidents, for the use and location and amount of space for human occupancy and for an adequate level of maintenance, setting forth the responsibilities for owners, operators and occupants of dwellings and establishing the necessary provisions for administration and enforcement.