(a) Each owner and/or mortgage holder of any abandoned or vacant residential structure shall be jointly and severally responsible for maintaining the structure and property in conformity with applicable law including ordinances of the Township. This includes but is not limited to exterior maintenance, vegetation cutting and maintenance, landscaping, snow removal and maintenance and repairs to the structure itself.
(b) The property shall be kept free of weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials and 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 abandoned. The property shall be maintained free of graffiti, tagging, or similar markings by removal or painting over with an exterior grade paint matching the color of the exterior of the structure. Visible front, side and rear yards shall be landscaped and maintained to the neighborhood standard at the time registration was required. Landscaping includes but is not limited to trimming grass, ground cover, bushes, shrubs, hedges or similar plantings, maintaining decorative rock or bark and mulching. Maintenance includes but is not limited to regular watering, irrigation, cutting, pruning and removal of all trimmings. Irrigation systems shall be maintained and or winterized. Pools and spas shall be kept in working order so the water remains clear and free of pollutants and debris or drained, kept dry and/or winterized. Code required safety enclosures (fencing, gates, alarms and covers) shall be maintained. Each of these requirements shall be cumulative and in addition to any and all other requirements otherwise required of the ordinances of the Township or other laws and codes.
(Ord. 387. Passed 7-27-09.)