1355.08 FOUNDATIONS.

   (a)    Foundations of dwelling structures shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair. Foundations of structures shall be free of loose, missing or deteriorated mortar, damaged, loose or missing bricks, flaking tiles and other deteriorated foundation materials.

   (b)    All areas of foundations which evidence leaning, bowing or cracking shall be deemed to be in violation of this Residential Exterior Maintenance Code.

   (c)   Foundations of dwelling structures shall be maintained in such condition as to prevent the seepage or leaking of water within the space enclosed within such foundations.

   (d)   Openings into foundations of dwelling structures shall be protected against the entrance of rodents and insects. (Ord. 1984-118. Passed 1-7-85.)

1355.09 ROOFS, GUTTERS, DOWNSPOUTS AND CHIMNEYS.

   (a)    Roofs of dwelling structures shall be maintained weathertight and shall be equipped with gutters and downspouts connected to a public storm sewer. However, this requirement may be waived by the Building Commissioner.

   (b)   As an alternate to the requirements set forth in subsection (a), one or more downspout(s) may be diverted into an approved rain barrel provided that overflow from such appurtenance is directed back into the downspout.  Rain barrels shall be covered at all times and shall not cause a public or private nuisance.  Rain barrels shall not be installed in the front yard, but may be located on rear and side yard downspouts.  Rear yard rain barrels, shall be positioned adjacent to the rear of the dwelling structure so as not to be visible from the public right of way.  Side yard rain barrels shall only be permitted at the discretion of the Building Commissioner and subject to appropriate screening so that the barrels are not visible from the public right of way.  Only one rain barrel may be installed at each rear or side yard downspout.  Rain barrel installations require the review and approval of the Building Commissioner and City Engineer.  Plans submitted for review and approval shall include details of the type, size and location of the rain barrel, including the method of connecting the overflow back to the downspout along with a landscaping plan if necessary to screen the rain barrel from view from the public right of way.

   (c)   Chimneys of dwelling structures shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair. For purposes of this section, "structurally sound and in good repair” means that a chimney is free of deteriorated, loose or missing mortar and broken, missing or deteriorated bricks or other appropriate building materials, that the seal to the home is weathertight and that the interior is clean and able to conduct smoke and gases to the exterior of the structure.

   (d)   Pursuant to this section, the following items, among others not specifically enumerated, shall be inspected to determine approval:

      (1)    That buildings requiring gutters and downspouts have them;

(2)    That rain barrels are properly constructed, reconnected to the downspout and landscaped as required;

      (3)    That splash boxes and french drains on secondary or appurtenant structures are properly routed;

      (4)    That gutters are free of blockage and drain water efficiently;

      (5)    That gutters and downspouts are not deteriorated, hanging, loose or insecure;

      (6)    The proper diameter of the downspouts;

      (7)    The proper width of the gutters;

      (8)    The proper seal of downspouts to the crocks;

      (9)    The condition of the roofing material;

      (10)    That branches and other live materials are absent from roofs;

      (11)   That flashing is not separated from the roof material, or loose or deteriorated;

      (12)    That the underhangs or soffits are tightly nailed to the beams and are in a watertight condition;

      (13)    The condition of parapets;

      (14)    That all chimney caps are secure and whole;

      (15)    That there are no cross-connections between storm and sanitary sewers; and

      (16)    That storm and sanitary sewers and connections are secure and watertight.

         (Ord.  2020-72.  Passed 5-18-20.)

1355.10 EXTERIORS OF DWELLING STRUCTURES AND SECONDARY OR APPURTENANT STRUCTURES.

   (a)    All exterior parts of dwelling structures shall be maintained weathertight and so as to resist decay or deterioration from any cause. This includes exterior walls, parapet walls, chimneys and all other exterior structures, either above or below the roof line.

   (b)    Any dwelling structure or secondary or appurtenant structure whose exterior surface is bare, deteriorated, ramshackle, tumble-down, decaying, disintegrating or in poor repair must be repaired or razed, as follows:

      (1)    All buckled, rotted, decayed or deteriorated walls, doors, windows, porches, floors, steps, ceilings, soffits, posts, sills, trim and missing members thereof must be replaced and put in good condition.

      (2)    All replacements must match and conform to the original design if not replaced completely.

      (3)    All exterior wood or exterior unfinished surfaces must be sealed and painted, surface covered with other approved protective coating or treated to prevent rot and decay, and shall conform and match the existing paint or surface covering and the original design or replacement thereof. All exterior walls and surfaces must be properly protected against the weather where such are defective or lack weather protection, including lack of paint or surface covering, or where such have weathered due to lack of proper protective covering.

   (c)    Any dwelling structure or secondary or appurtenant structure whose exterior surface is deteriorated, decaying or disintegrating, or whose exterior surface has weathered with dirt and grime or has been impaired through peeling or flaking of the paint or other protective coating, shall be repaired, repainted or resurfaced as follows:

      (1)   All exterior surfaces shall be replaced or repaired in good condition preparatory to repainting or coating.

      (2)    All bare exterior surfaces which are flaking or crumbling shall be replaced or sealed in a good and workmanlike manner.

      (3)    All new or repaired bare surfaces shall be painted or coated.

      (4)    All exterior surfaces weathered with dirt and grime or which are peeling or flaking shall be painted or covered with an approved protective coating or surface.

         (Ord. 1984-118. Passed 1-7-85.)

   (d)   Sidewalks and Driveways.  Improperly installed or maintained public sidewalks, private walks, driveways and driveway aprons shall be determined to be in a defective condition if any of the following conditions exist:

      (1)   Any block has multiple cracks or any single crack larger than one-fourth of an inch wide.

      (2)   The edges of adjoining sections of block, or a portion thereof, differ vertically by one inch or more.

      (3)   Blocks have a transverse slope in excess of one inch per horizontal foot toward the street.

      (4)   Blocks have a reverse slope (toward the property) that impounds water to a depth of one-half of an inch or more.

      (5)   Blocks have depressions that impound water to a depth of one-half of an inch or more.

      (6)   Blocks have disintegrated or deteriorated areas.

   Every public sidewalk shall be concrete or stone slab.  Every driveway apron shall be concrete.  (Ord. 2004-78.  Passed 5-3-04.)

1355.11 INFESTATION BY PESTS.

   All dwelling structures and the premises thereof shall be maintained free from sources of breeding or harborage of, or infestation by, insects, vermin or rodents. Measures to prevent infestation include, but are not limited to, the following:

   (a)    Composting of organic landscape material shall be placed neatly on a minimum four-inch thick concrete pad.

   (b)    All appurtenant or secondary structures shall be placed on a minimum four-inch thick concrete pad, or maintained at a minimum of eight inches above finished grade, when built or supported on columns or posts.

   (c)    All firewood shall be stored and stacked neatly on a minimum four-inch concrete pad or maintained a minimum of eight inches above the finished grade.

      (Ord. 1984-118. Passed 1-7-85.)

1355.12 EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS; JUNK MOTOR VEHICLES.

   Exterior property areas of all premises shall be kept free of any debris, object, material or condition which may create a health, accident or fire hazard, which is a public nuisance or which constitutes a blighting or deteriorating influence on the neighborhood. Lawns, tree lawns, landscaping, trees and driveways shall also be maintained so as not to constitute a blighting or deteriorating effect in the neighborhood.

   A junk motor vehicle shall not be parked or permitted to remain outside of an enclosed garage. No automobile repairs, fueling, changing of motor oil, mechanical or body work or repair of any kind shall be made outside of an enclosed garage.

   Notwithstanding Section 1351.08(i) or any other section of these Codified Ordinances, no written notice of violation shall be required prior to this section being enforced by the Building Commissioner, a building inspector or any police officer.

(Ord. 1988-90. Passed 6-20-88.)