(a) General. The exterior of every premises and structure shall be maintained in good repair, to the end that the premises and each structure thereon will be preserved; adjoining properties protected from blighting influences; and safety and fire hazards eliminated.
(b) Maintenance of Premises. Each and every premises shall be kept free of all nuisances, health, safety, and fire hazards, unsanitary conditions, and infestation. It shall be the duty of the responsible party to keep the premises free of all said conditions and to promptly remove and abate same, which include but are not limited to the following declared nuisances:
(1) Weeds or grasses allowed to grow to a height greater than twelve (12) inches on the average, or any accumulation of dead weeds or grass that are exposed to public view, or on any non-farm property. This provision shall not apply to prairies, wetlands, or similar areas of naturalized perennial vegetation which are certified by an Enforcement Officer to not constitute a nuisance. (Ord. 3222. Passed 6-27-05.)
(2) Accumulations of refuse to the prejudice of others, or refuse left outside for more than seven (7) days. (Ord. 3471. Passed 8-2-10.)
(3) Any structure which is in such a dilapidated condition that it is unfit for human habitation or the use for which it was constructed; kept in such an unsanitary condition that it is a menace to the health of people residing therein or in the vicinity thereof; any structure defined as a dangerous building by the most current edition of the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, as published by the International Conference of Building Officials; or any building that is defined as a dangerous building by the codified ordinances or by Ohio law.
(4) Mud, dirt, gravel or other debris or matter, whether organic or inorganic, deposited upon public property in a quantity judged by an enforcement officer to be a threat to public safety or to cause pollution, obstruction, or siltation of drainage systems, or to violate solid waste disposal regulations.
(5) Failure to establish a permanent cover of perennial grasses or ornamental ground cover on any non-farm property as soon as practical after any construction, and to thereafter maintain same in such condition as to substantially bind the surface of the soil and prevent erosion, whether by sheet or gullying, or by wind or water.
Exceptions shall be permitted for densely shaded areas, landscape beds, and gardens, provided that vegetable gardens and agricultural crops shall not be placed in the front yard of a non-farm property, unless it can be demonstrated that no other viable location exists on the premises because of topography, natural vegetation, or similar circumstances out of the resident's control.
(6) Any nuisance as defined herein or described as such by state law.
(7) Any alteration, modification, or obstruction which prevents, obstructs or impedes the normal flow of runoff from adjacent lands, or any alteration or modification which substantially concentrates or increases the flow of water onto an adjoining premises to the extent of damaging or saturating such premises.
(8) Conditions which are conducive to the harborage or breeding of vermin.
(9) Facilities for the storage or processing of sewage, such as privies, vaults, sewers, private drains, septic tanks, cesspools, and drain fields, which have failed or do not function properly, as may be evidenced by overflow, leakage, seepage, or emanation of odors, or which do not comply with the Belmont County Department of Health regulations, as applicable. Septic tanks, cisterns, and cesspools which are no longer in use shall be removed, or emptied and filled with clean dirt or sand.
(10) Fences or retaining walls that are not structurally sound or which are deteriorating, as may be evidenced by leaning or loose elements.
(c) Building Maintenance. Every building, including house trailers, office trailers and storage trailers, shall be maintained to be weather and water tight, and free from excessively peeling paint or other conditions suggestive of deterioration or inadequate maintenance. Exteriors surfaces shall not have any holes or broken glass; loose, cracked or damaged shingles or siding; or other defects in the exterior finish which admit rain, cold air, dampness, rodents, insects, or vermin, deteriorating materials shall be replaced.
(d) Refuse and Inoperable Vehicles. Inoperable vehicles shall be stored within a fully enclosed building or other location not exposed to public view, or shall be removed from the premises. All refuse shall be contained in suitable collection container; kept free from infestation; and shall be removed weekly.
(Ord. 3222. Passed 6-27-05.)