(A) On and after the effective date of this chapter, no person, firm, corporation, LLC or other entity of any kind shall maintain or permit to be maintained, any of the causes of blight or blighting factors upon any property in the township owned, leased, rented or occupied by such person, firm, corporation, LLC or other entity. In the event that the property owner and occupant are not the same individual/entity, all parties may be held to be responsible for the same violation.
(B) The following uses, structures and activities are deemed to be causes of blight or blighting factors which, if allowed to exist, will tend to result in blighted and undesirable neighborhoods:
(1) The storage of any junk vehicle (except those in a completely enclosed building). For the purposes of this chapter, the term
JUNK VEHICLE shall include, but not be limited to, any motor vehicle which is not licensed for use upon highways in the state, any motor vehicle which is inoperative (whether or not it is capable of being licensed) and any equipment (including that previously used for farming or other occupations), whether or not on wheels, which has not been used for its intended purpose for at least three years. Anyone actively engaged in farming shall be exempt from this provision. Individuals who rent or lease their property to another who farms the property shall not be considered to be engaged in farming;
(2) The storage of any building materials (unless on property zoned commercial and which is part of the inventory of the business so located), unless a valid building permit has been issued by the township for construction on said property, and said materials are intended for use in connection with such construction. Building materials shall include, but not be limited to, lumber, bricks, concrete or cinder blocks, plumbing materials, electrical wiring or equipment, heating ducts or equipment, shingles, mortar, concrete or cement, nails, screws or any other materials used in constructing any structure;
(3) The storage or accumulation of junk, trash, rubbish or refuse of any kind, without a landfill or junk yard permit, except domestic refuse stored in such manner as not to create a nuisance, for a period not to exceed 15 days. The term
JUNK shall include parts of machinery or motor vehicles, unused stoves or other appliances stored in the open, wood, metal or any other material or cast-off material of any kind, whether or not the same could be put to any reasonable use;
(4) Any structure or part of any structure which, because of fire, wind or other natural disaster, or physical deterioration, is no longer habitable (if a dwelling), nor useful for any other purpose for which it may have been intended;
(5) Any vacant dwelling, garage or other out-building, unless such buildings are kept securely locked, windows kept glazed or neatly boarded up, and otherwise protected to prevent entrance thereto by vandals or other unauthorized parties; and
(6) Any partially completed structure, unless such structure is in the course of construction in accordance with a valid building permit issued by the township, and unless such construction is completed within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 90 days.
(Ord. 18, passed 11-14-2005) Penalty, see § 152.99