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(A) 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 standard set forth in this chapter and so that the appearance of the premises and structures shall not constitute a blighting factor for the adjoining property owners nor an element leading to progressive deterioration and downgrading of the immediate neighborhood such maintenance obligation shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Storage of commercial and industrial material. There shall not be stored or used at a location visible from the sidewalk, street, or other public area, equipment and materials relating to commercial or industrial uses, unless permitted under the zoning ordinance from the premises.
(2) Landscaping. Lawns, hedges, and bushes shall be kept from becoming overgrown to the extent that they obstruct sidewalks or right-of-way.
(3) Removal of all miscellaneous rubbish. All yards, courts or lots shall be kept free of refuse/rubbish.
(B) Any dwelling structure or secondary or appurtenant structure whose exterior surface is bare, deteriorated, ramshackle, tumbledown, decaying, disintegrating, or in poor repair must be repaired or razed. In addition:
(1) All buckled, rotted, or decayed walls, doors, windows, porches, floors, steps, trim, railings and their missing members, must be replaced and put in good condition.
(2) The structure shall be maintained free of broken windows, crumbling stone or brick, or other conditions reflective of deterioration to the end that the property itself may be preserved, safety and fire hazards eliminated, so that health, safety and welfare of the public is not threatened.
(Ord. 9142, passed 12-18-2023) Penalty, see § 159.99
The exterior of all nonresidential 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 on the adjoining property owner nor an element leading to the progressive deterioration and downgrading of the immediate neighborhood including the following:
(A) Landscaping. Lawns, hedges, and bushes shall be kept free from becoming overgrown to the extent that they obstruct sidewalks or right-of-way. All yards, courts or lots shall be kept free of rubbish not appropriate to the area which may cause a fire hazard or may act as a breeding place for vermin or insects.
(B) Signs. All permanent signs exposed to public view permitted by reason of other regulations or as a lawful non-conforming use, shall be maintained in good repair. Any signs which have weathered or are 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 broken electrical signs shall be repaired or shall, with their supporting members, be removed forthwith.
(C) Store fronts. All store fronts shall be kept in good repair, painted where required, and shall not constitute a safety hazard or a nuisance. Any cornice visible above a store front shall be kept painted, when required, and in good repair.
(D) Awnings and marquees. Any awning or marquee and its accompanying structural members which extend over any street, sidewalk, or other portion of the premises shall be maintained in good repair, and shall not constitute a nuisance or a safety hazard. In the event such awnings or marquees are not properly maintained in accordance with the foregoing, they shall, together with their supporting members, be removed forthwith. In the event such awnings or marquees are made of cloth, plastic, or similar materials, such cloth or 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 any encroachment on streets, sidewalks, or other parts of the public domain.
(Ord. 9142, passed 12-18-2023) Penalty, see § 159.99
All parts of the premises shall be maintained so as to prevent infestation by insects, termites and rodents. All provisions for garbage and refuse shall be constructed so as not to be accessible to dogs, cats or other animals.
(Ord. 9142, passed 12-18-2023) Penalty, see § 159.99
Where a public nuisance or violation of this chapter is found to exist, a written notice from the property maintenance officer shall be served upon the person or persons responsible for the correction thereof.
(A) Contents of notice. The notice shall specify the violation or the violations committed, what must be done to correct the same, and a reasonable period of time (not to exceed 45 days) to correct or abate the violation.
(B) Service of notice. Notice may be served personally or by mail with postage prepaid, addressed to the last known address of the person to be served. Where it is ascertained that the owner does not reside on the premises, the last known address shall be the address of the owner as shown in the office of the Wood County Auditor. If the last known address cannot be ascertained, the notice may be posted on the outside front entrance of the building. The property maintenance officer shall file and provide notice to any owner or occupant of any violation at any address other than the last known address provided hereunder if such other address is filed with the property maintenance officer personally or by certified mail addressed to the property maintenance officer. Date of service of the notice shall be determined (where service is by mail) as the day following the day of mailing for notices to addresses within the city and as of the fourth day after the day of mailing for notices to addresses outside the city. Where the day of service would fall upon a Sunday or other day when mail is not ordinarily delivered, then the day of service shall be the next regular delivery day. Notwithstanding any other provisions herein contained where premises are subject to registration and have been so registered, notice served upon the agent designated therein shall constitute service upon the owner, or lessor of the premises, jointly and severally.
(C) Non-compliance with notice. Whenever the owner, agent, occupant, or operator of a structure or premises fails, neglects, or refuses to comply with any notice of the property maintenance officer, the property maintenance officer may advise the Director of Law of the circumstances, and request to institute an appropriate legal action to compel compliance.
(Ord. 9142, passed 12-18-2023)
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word contained in this chapter shall be declared invalid for any reason whatsoever, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this chapter which shall remain in full force and effect, and to this end, the provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable.
(Ord. 9142, passed 12-18-2023)
The imposition of any penalty shall not preclude the Director of Law from instituting an appropriate action of proceeding in a court of proper jurisdiction to prevent an unlawful repair or maintenance; or to restrain, correct, or abate a violation; to prevent the occupancy of a building, structure, or premises; to require compliance with the provisions of this chapter or other applicable laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations, or the orders of determinations of the property maintenance officer.
(Ord. 9142, passed 12-18-2023)
(A) Whoever violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(B) Whoever violates any subsequent offense in this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Each violation of a section of this chapter shall constitute a separate and distinct violation independent of any other section or subsection or any order issued pursuant to this chapter.
(Ord. 9142, passed 12-18-2023)