Department of Public Health and Charities

RULES GOVERNING THE SANITARY MAINTENANCE OF PRIVY VAULTS AND PRIVY HOUSES IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

1. The occupants of premises will be held responsible for the maintenance of privy houses or closets in a sanitary condition and free from damage, except such as result from ordinary use.
2. Privy houses or closets shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
3. All openings in seats shall be provided with covers. A block shall be so arranged that the seat covers will fall into place when seat is not in use.
4. Wash water, garbage, kitchen slops, etc., shall not be emptied into privy wells.
5. The discharges from any person suffering from typhoid fever, dysentery, or other serious bowel disease, shall not be deposited in any privy well without being previously disinfected in the manner prescribed by the Bureau of Health.
6. Privy wells shall be cleaned, when their contents come to within three (3) feet of the ground level, and at other times when deemed necessary by the Bureau of Health, and shall be frequently treated with lime to prevent their becoming foul.
7. When a privy well is in need of cleaning, it shall be immediately reported by the tenant to the owner or agent and to the Bureau of Health.
8. Doors of privy houses and closets shall not be left open. They shall be so arranged that they will return into the closed position.
9. Doors shall be securely attached by hinges of such size as to properly support the weight of the door at all times.
10. All other openings in the privy houses or closets, except the doors, shall be tightly screened with screens not less than fourteen (14) meshes to the inch.
11. A supply of unslacked lime shall be kept on hand in each privy house or closet and shall be frequently applied to the contents of the privy well.
12. The privy house or closet shall be kept in good repair, and if any part shall become decayed or broken, it shall be promptly repaired.

This Privy MUST be abandoned when Sewer is accessible.

By order of the Board of Health

THESE RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED BY THE DIVISION OF SANITATION

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL AT THE

Division of Sanitation

615 CITY HALL

THIS CARD MUST NOT BE REMOVED OR DEFACED