(a) Application. This section shall apply to all properties that are both:
(1) A property in default or a REO property; and
(2) Vacant or showing evidence of vacancy
A responsible party that presents the Chief Building Official (or designee) with documentary evidence that it does not have the legal right to inspect, maintain, secure, and/or post on the property, where such evidence is accepted as adequate by the Chief Building Official (or designee), shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
(b) Inspections. The responsible party for a property subject to this section shall perform an inspection of the property no less than once every seven (7) days to ensure the property is in compliance with this section.
(c) Maintenance. Properties subject to this section shall be, in comparison to the neighborhood standard, kept free of weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials, any accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, notices (except those required by federal, state, or local law), discarded personal items including but not limited to furniture, clothing, large and small appliances, printed material or any other items that give the appearance that the property is vacant.
(1) The property shall be maintained free of graffiti, tagging or similar markings by removal or painting over with an exterior grade paint that matches the color of the exterior of the structure.
(2) Visible front and side yards shall be landscaped and maintained to the neighborhood standard. Landscape includes, but is not limited to, grass, ground covers, bushes, shrubs, hedges or similar plantings; and decorative rock, bark or artificial turf/sod designed specifically for residential installation. Landscape does not include weeds, gravel, broken concrete, asphalt, decomposed granite, plastic sheeting, indoor-outdoor carpet or any similar material. Maintenance of yards includes, but is not limited to, regular watering, irrigation, cutting, pruning, mowing and removal of all trimmings.
(3) Pools and spas shall be kept in working order so the water remains clear or free of pollutants and debris or drained and kept dry. In either case, properties with pools and/or spas must comply with the minimum security fencing requirements of the State of the Ohio.
(d) Security. Properties subject to this section shall be maintained in a secure manner so as to not be accessible to unauthorized persons.
Secure manner includes, but is not limited to, the closure and locking of windows, doors (walk-through, sliding, and garage), gates and any other opening of such size that it may allow a child to access the interior of the property and or structures(s). In the case of broken windows, securing means the re-glazing or boarding of the window.
(e) Posting. Properties subject to this section shall be posted with a contact number individuals can call to report blighted properties to the Building Department The posting shall be no less than 18" X 24", shall be of a font that is legible from a distance of 45 feet, and shall contain, along with the contact number of the Building Department, the words "TO REPORT PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS CALL". The posting shall also contain the name and contact information of the responsible party, along with the words "IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THIS PROPERTY." The posting shall be placed on the interior of a window facing the street to the front of the property so it is visible from the street, or secured to the exterior of the building/structure facing the street to the front of the property so it is visible from the street or if no such area exists, on a stake of sufficient size to support the posting in a location that is visual from the street to the front of the property but not readily accessible to vandals. Exterior posting must be constructed of and printed with weather resistant materials.
(f) Additional Authority. In addition to the requirements of this section, the Chief Building Official (or designee) shall have the authority to require the responsible party for any property subject to the requirements of this section to implement additional maintenance and/or security measures including, but not limited to, securing any door, window or other openings; installing additional security lighting; increasing on site inspection frequency; employment of an on-site security guard; or other measures as may be reasonably required to arrest the decline of the property. (Ord. 128-2012. Passed 8-27-12.)