(A) For the purposes of this chapter,
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY means non-residential retail or office projects, or non-residential condominiums, whether occupied or vacant, which have separate parcels within the project.
(B) The City Council finds that commercial projects, and commercial condominiums, can constitute public nuisances when the maintenance of improvements is not performed in a coordinated and uniform manner. The requirements and standards specified in this section are designed to prevent such projects from becoming public nuisances due to visual blight, safety hazards and other blighting conditions.
(C) Commercial property as defined herein shall be required to use a property management firm, or such other arrangement as may be approved by the Community Development Director, for the collection of service fees and charges and property maintenance providers.
(D) Landscape maintenance and litter control shall be provided for all portions of the project in a uniform and consistent manner, including regular weed abatement and litter control on developed and undeveloped parcels or portions of the projects. Maintenance standards are as specified in division (G) of this section.
(E) Maintenance for common areas and parking lots shall also be provided in a uniform and consistent manner to ensure that parking lot surfaces and striping
are maintained without holes and surface defects, all lights are functioning, shopping carts are properly stored, exterior signage (i.e. building and monument signage) is maintained and building exteriors (i.e. awnings and canopies) are maintained and painted to present a good appearance, free of graffiti. All trash and recycling enclosures and receptacles shall be maintained at all times in a clean condition with lids or tops in place at all times.
(F) An occupant or tenant of the premises shall be responsible, in the same manner as the property owner, for compliance with this section regarding exterior maintenance of the occupied premises and any landscaping, stormwater/erosion control measures, signs, trash enclosures, parking facilities, temporary fencing, and other appurtenances directly attributed or allocated to the subject premises.
(G) The following criteria shall be the minimum landscape and litter control criteria and standards for properties subject to this section:
(1) Regular mowing of turf areas during growing season;
(2) Weeds over three inches tall will be removed;
(3) Plant material not to cover any part of sidewalks or walkways;
(4) All plant material maintained in a healthy, growing condition, in compliance with approved landscape plan for the project where applicable;
(5) Shrubs and trees maintained so as to avoid "hiding places";
(6) Dead plant material removed and replaced, in compliance with the approved landscape plan for the project where applicable;
(7) Litter and landscape debris removed from site, not blown on street or sidewalk;
(8) Litter removal performed daily or as otherwise approved in writing by Community Development staff;
(9) Trees maintained to standards of International Society of Arboriculture;
(10) Trees maintain clearance over sidewalks and streets per code;
(11) Irrigation systems maintain on routine schedule approved by staff;
(12) Irrigation problems repaired promptly;
(13) All work to be performed by trained professionals;
(14) All pesticide applications performed by State Certified Applicator;
(15) Pest control as required by Integrated Pest Management criteria;
(16) Exterior tobacco ash receptacles shall be kept emptied and clean.
(Ord. 1061-C-S, passed 11-8-05)