(A) Title. These regulations shall be known as the Property Maintenance Code of the Village of Camden, Ohio, hereinafter referred to as “the Code” or “this subchapter”.
(B) Scope. The provisions of this subchapter shall apply to all existing present and future residential and nonresidential buildings, structures and premises. The regulations contained herein shall constitute the minimum requirements and standards for the safe and sanitary maintenance of all existing residential and nonresidential buildings, structures, premises, and the minimum requirements and standards for all equipment and/or facilities for sanitation, protection from the elements, and safety from fire and other hazards. The regulations of this subchapter outline the responsibility of owners, operators and occupants, and regulate the occupancy of existing structures and premises. The provisions of this subchapter outline the procedures and processes for the administration and enforcement of this subchapter, as well as the penalties for the violation of any provision thereof.
(C) Intent. This subchapter shall be construed in accordance with its expressed intent of protecting public health, safety and welfare, insofar as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of structures and premises. Existing structures and premises that are an imminent danger and offer public health, safety and welfare issues and do not comply with these provisions shall be altered or repaired to provide a minimum level of health and safety as required herein.
(D) Severability. If a section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this subchapter is, for any reason, held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this subchapter.
(E) Applicability.
(1) General. The provision of this subchapter shall apply to all matters affecting or relating to dwellings, buildings, structures and premises, as set forth in division (B) above. Where, in a specific case, different sections or subsections of this subchapter specify different requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.
(2) Maintenance. Equipment, systems devices, and safeguards required by this subchapter or a previous regulation or code under which the dwelling, building, structure of premises was constructed, altered or repaired shall be maintained in good working order. The requirements of this subchapter are not intended to provide the basis for removal or abrogation of fire protection and safety systems and devices in existing buildings structures, dwellings or premises. Except as otherwise specified herein, the owner or the owner’s designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of all dwellings, buildings, structures and premises.
(3) Application of other codes.
(a) Repairs, additions or alterations to any dwelling, building or structure, or changes of occupancy, shall be done in accordance with the procedures and provisions of the Ohio Residential Code and Ohio Building Code.
(b) The codes and standards referenced in this subchapter shall be considered part of the requirements of this subchapter to the prescribed extent of each such reference. Where differences occur between provisions of this subchapter and referenced codes or standards, the provisions of this subchapter shall apply.
(4) Existing remedies. The provisions in this subchapter shall not be construed to abolish or impair any remedies, whether in law or in equity, relating to the removal or demolition of any building, dwelling or structure which is dangerous, unsafe and unsanitary, by the village, its officers or its agents.
(5) Workmanship. Repairs, maintenance work, alterations or installations which result either directly or indirectly from the enforcement of this subchapter shall be executed and installed in workmanlike manner. Property owners may do the repairs, maintenance work, alterations or installations, if they are in accordance with the codes referenced in § 177.30 of this chapter, the Ohio Residential Code, and Ohio Building Code, as applicable, and in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
(6) Historic buildings. The provisions of this subchapter may not be mandatory for existing buildings or structures that have been designated by the State of Ohio as historic buildings, if the Code Official or the Village Appeals Board determines that the burden imposed upon the owner of the building or structure by the enforcement of these provisions would unduly outweigh the village’s interest in the health, safety or welfare of the public.
(7) Requirements not covered by subchapter. Requirements which are necessary for the strength, stability or proper operation of an existing building, dwelling, structure, fixture or equipment, or which are necessary for the protection of the safety, health or welfare of the public, that are not specifically covered by this subchapter shall be determined by the Code Official and/or other authority having jurisdiction.
(Ord. -, passed 10-2-08)