(a) Residential. The exterior of the premises, the exterior of dwelling structures and the condition of accessory structures shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises and all buildings thereon shall reflect a level of maintenance in keeping with the residential standards of the immediate neighborhood so that the appearance of the premises and structures shall not constitute a blighting factor for adjoining property owners nor an element leading to the progressive deterioration and downgrading of the immediate neighborhood with the accompanying diminution of property values, including the following:
(1) Storage of commercial and industrial materials and equipment. There shall not be stored for more than thirty days equipment and materials relating to commercial or industrial uses, unless permitted under the Zoning Code for the premises.
(2) Landscaping. Premises shall be maintained. Lawns, hedges and bushes shall be kept from becoming overgrown and unsightly (i.e. covering windows, choking out other plants, untrimmed, etc.) where exposed to public view and where the same constitute a blighting factor depreciating adjoining property and impairing the good residential character of the immediate neighborhood. Grass shall not be let to grow higher than eight inches. For the purposes of grass height only, compliance shall be within five days of notice given by the Zoning Administrator. The height of grass does not apply to a naturally wooded area.
(3) Signs. All signs permitted by reason of other regulations or as a lawful nonconforming use shall be maintained in good repair, and printed matter, pictures or illustrations contained thereon shall be completely maintained or, when no longer in use, completely removed within six months.
(4) General maintenance. The exterior of every structure or accessory structure, including fences, shall be maintained in good repair, and all surfaces thereon shall be kept painted where necessary for the purpose of preservation and appearance, or surface-coated with a protective coating or treated to prevent rot and decay. The same shall be maintained free of broken windows, crumbling stone or brick, peeling paint or other condition reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance to the end that the property itself may be preserved, safety and fire hazards eliminated and adjoining properties and the immediate neighborhood protected from blighting influences.
(5) Storage of vehicles. All vehicles which are in a disabled condition or which do not carry a current year's license plate and registration where required by law shall be stored in a completely enclosed, authorized or permitted building on such lot or premises. As used in this section, "disabled" means a condition in which the vehicle cannot be operated on public streets under its own power in compliance with statutory or ordinance requirements.
(6) Street numbers. On every building to which a street number has been assigned, such number shall be displayed in a size and location such that the number will be readily observable and readable from the public right of way which abuts the front yard, as defined in Section 1490.03(15).
(7) Vehicle parking. All vehicles shall be properly parked in the driveway, garage or right of way.
(8) Vehicular recreational equipment parking. There will be no parking of vehicular recreational equipment in front or side yards, unless it is parked on the driveway or in the garage. Vehicular recreational equipment may be parked in the rear yard.
(b) Nonresidential. The exterior of the premises and the condition of accessory structures shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises and all buildings thereon shall reflect a level of maintenance in keeping with the standards of the immediate neighborhood so that the appearance of the premises and structures shall not constitute a blighting factor for adjoining property owners nor an element leading to the progressive deterioration and downgrading of the immediate neighborhood with the accompanying diminution of property values, including the following:
(1) Landscaping. Premises shall be maintained. Lawns, hedges and bushes shall be kept from becoming overgrown and unsightly (i.e. covering windows, choking out other plants, untrimmed, etc.) where exposed to public view and where the same constitute a blighting factor depreciating adjoining property. Grass shall not be let to grow higher than eight inches. For the purposes of grass height only, compliance shall be within five days of notice given by the Zoning Administrator. The height of grass does not apply to a naturally wooded area.
(2) Signs and billboards. All permanent signs and billboards exposed to public view that are permitted by reason of other regulations or as a lawful nonconforming use shall be maintained in good repair. Signs which have weathered or faded, or those upon which the paint has peeled or cracked, shall, with their supporting members, be removed forthwith or put into a good state of repair. All nonoperative or broken electrical signs shall be repaired or shall, with their supporting members, be removed forthwith.
(3) Store fronts. All store fronts shall be kept in good repair, painted where required, and not constitute a safety hazard or nuisance. In the event repairs to a store front become necessary, such repairs shall be made with the same or similar materials used in the construction of the store front in such a manner as to permanently repair the damaged area or areas. Any cornice visible above a store front shall be kept painted, where required, and in good repair.
(4) Awnings and marquees. Any awning or marquee and its accompanying structural members which extend over any street, sidewalk or other portion of any premises shall be maintained in good repair and shall not constitute a nuisance or safety hazard. In the event such an awning or marquee is not properly maintained in accordance with this paragraph, it shall, together with its supporting members, be removed forthwith. In the event such awnings or marquees are made of cloth, plastic or similar materials, such cloth and plastic, where exposed to public view, shall be maintained in good condition and shall not show evidence of weathering, discoloration, ripping, tearing or other holes. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize an encroachment on streets, sidewalks or other parts of the public domain.
(5) Storage of vehicles. All vehicles which are junk vehicles or which do not carry a current year's license plate and registration where required by law shall be stored in a completely enclosed, authorized or permitted building on a lot or premises, except as an otherwise permitted use in the district where such a vehicle is located.
(6) Vehicle parking. All vehicles shall be properly parked in the driveway, garage or right of way.
(Ord. 175-95. Passed 10-23-95; Ord. 252-00. Passed 11-27-00; Ord. 117-08. Passed 7-14-09; Ord. 26-2011. Passed 4-11-11.)