§ 10-197. Safe and sanitary maintenance of property.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    Purpose. The purpose of this section is to recognize the private and public benefits resulting from the safe, sanitary, and attractive maintenance of residential buildings, yards, or vacant areas. Attractive and well-maintained property will enhance the neighborhood and City and provide a suitable environment for increasing physical and monetary values.

    (b)

    Maintenance requirements. Every owner or operator shall improve and maintain all property under his control to comply with the following minimum requirements:

    (1)

    Drainage. All courts, yards, or other areas on the premises shall be property graded to divert water away from the building. Adjacent ground surface shall be sloped away from the structure with a grading of at least one-half inch per foot for a minimum of five feet where possible or by other means such as eaves troughs and downspout extensions.

    (2)

    Weeds. All exterior property areas shall be kept free from noxious weeds as required by this Code and the State statutes. Where required weed and grass cutting is not performed by the property owner, the City shall perform said weed cutting and process the charge therefor as a special charge against the benefited property.

    (3)

    Debris. All exterior property areas shall be properly maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from debris, rubbish or garbage, physical hazards, rodent harborage and infestation, and animal feces. All animal feces shall be removed within 24 hours.

    (4)

    Fences, walks, parking areas. Fences, other minor construction, walks, driveways, parking areas, and similar paved areas shall be properly maintained in a safe, sanitary and substantial condition. Approved walks shall provide convenient all-weather access to buildings.

    (5)

    Exterior surfaces. Exterior surfaces of buildings and structures not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative that will provide adequate resistance to weathering and maintain an attractive appearance. Any exterior surface treated with paint or other preservative shall be maintained so as to prevent chipping, cracking, or other deterioration of the exterior surface or the surface treatment and to present an attractive appearance. All paint or other preservative shall be applied in a workmanlike fashion.

    (6)

    Yard areas. Yard areas of real estate shall not be permitted to deteriorate or remain in a condition that is not in accord with the following: Yard areas shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, free from any accumulation of combustible or non-combustible materials, debris, or refuse. Yards shall not be used to store appliances, furnaces, hot water heaters, water softeners, or building material not used within 60 days, or any unsightly bulk items. Landscaping, plantings and other decorative surface treatments, including common species of grass, shall be installed if necessary and maintained to present an attractive appearance in all court and yard areas. Lawns shall be maintained to a height in compliance with City regulations. Plantings shall be maintained as not to present hazards to adjoining properties or to persons or vehicles traveling on public ways and shall be maintained so as to enhance the appearance and value of the property on which located, and thereby the appearance and value of the neighborhood and City. The City, after due notice to the property owner, will cause to be cut or trimmed nonconforming areas and place said cost as a special charge due against the property.

    (7)

    General requirements for rental properties.

    a.

    Every interior floor, wall, and ceiling, including door and window assemblies, shall be kept clean and in good repair, and shall be capable of affording privacy. Any hazardous sagging or bulging shall be properly repaired to a level or plumb position. All surfaces shall be free from serious cracking, irregularities, and peeling paint. A waterproof and hard surface shall be provided in spaces subject to moisture. All surface repairs shall be completed to closely match the existing surface color and texture. Floor surfacing shall provide ease of maintenance and durability appropriate for the use of the room.

    b.

    Every foundation, exterior wall, and floor and roof shall be reasonably weather tight, watertight, and rodentproof and shall be kept in proper repair and shall be capable of affording privacy. Any hazardous sagging or bulging shall be properly repaired to a level or plumb position. All chimneys and breaching shall be so constructed and maintained so as to ensure that it safely and properly removes the products of combustion from the building.

    c.

    Every gap allowing the accumulation of dirt or other objectionable matter in bathing, toilet, or food preparation areas shall be tightly sealed with an impervious and cleanable material.

    (8)

    Stairs. Every inside and outside stair, every porch, and every appurtenance thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon, and shall be kept in proper condition and repair and shall present an attractive appearance. All interior and exterior stairs and steps and every appurtenance thereto shall comply with the requirements specified in the applicable sections of the State Administrative Code, as dictated by the type of occupancy in the building.

    (9)

    Plumbing fixtures. Every plumbing fixture and water and waste pipe shall be properly installed and maintained in good working condition, free from defects, leaks, and obstructions.

    (10)

    Bathrooms. Every water closet compartment floor surface and bathroom floor surface shall be properly constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition.

    (11)

    Supplied facilities.

    a.

    Every supplied facility, piece of equipment, or utility shall be so constructed, installed, and maintained so that it will function in a proper working condition.

    b.

    The owner of any dwelling or apartment in which a cooking stove and/or refrigerator are furnished for the use of the tenants as part of a rental agreement shall keep such cooking stove and/or refrigerator in good mechanical working condition.

    c.

    It shall be the responsibility of the tenant to maintain supplied facilities in a clean and sanitary condition when contained within the tenant's dwelling unit.

    (12)

    Equipment removal restricted. No owner, operator, or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment, or utility which is required under this article to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling, dwelling unit, or lodging room let or occupied by him, except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs are in process, or during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by an authorized inspector.

    (13)

    Abandoned fuel oil tanks. Abandoned fuel oil tanks shall be removed from the building.

    (14)

    Removal of debris.

    a.

    No person shall dispose of rocks, trees, stumps, waste building material, or other debris from land development, building construction, street grading, or installation of underground utilities upon the surface of any land in the City, except at approved disposal sites.

    b.

    No landowner shall allow an accumulation of rocks, trees, stumps, waste building material or other debris from land development, building construction, street grading, or installation of underground utilities upon the surface of his land for a period of more than 30 days.

    c.

    All vacant lands within the City shall be leveled off to permit the mowing of weeds as outlined within this Code. This includes the removal of stones, bottles, wires and other debris that will interfere with mowing operations.

    d.

    All lands in the City shall be kept free of weeds and maintained so there is no detrimental influence to the public health, safety, comfort or general welfare of the immediate neighborhood or community.

(Code 1991, § 15-4-5; Ord. No. 94-03, § I(15-4-5), 9-6-1994; Ord. No. 05-02, 3-7-2006)