(a) In the absence of specific contractual agreements between owners and occupants with respect to responsibilities for compliance with this chapter, the following shall apply:
(1) With respect to maintaining premises in a clean and sanitary condition:
A. For a single nonresidential unit, the occupant is responsible for that part of the premises which he or she occupies and controls, and the owner is responsible for any other area; and
B. For a building containing two or more nonresidential or institutional units, the owner shall be responsible for shared or public areas of the premises.
(2) With respect to structural repairs, maintenance and painting of the exterior of the building and the parking lot, sidewalk and curb repairs, common lawn and landscaped area maintenance and other requirements of § 1462.04, other than those provided for in subsection (a)(1)A. above, the owner shall be responsible.
(b) No owner shall be relieved of the responsibility for compliance with this chapter, or be entitled to defend against any charge of violation thereof, by reason of the fact that he or she has contracted with an agent to be responsible therefor or by reason of the fact that the owner’s agent or the occupant is also jointly responsible therefor and in violation thereof.
(Ord. 532, passed 9-16-1981)