(a) Appearance. The exterior of structures shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises and all accessory structures 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 for adjoining property owners nor an element leading to the progressive deterioration and downgrading of the immediate neighborhood with the accompanying diminution of property values.
(b) Land Areas.
(1) All premises shall be graded or maintained so as to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water within any structure or accessory structure upon the premises.
(2) An owner or agent of any premises shall keep the land free and clear from all noxious weeds, tall grass and/or tall weeds.
(3) Lawns, hedges and/or bushes shall be kept from becoming overgrown and/or unsightly.
(4) Every owner or agent shall be required to cut all weeds and/or grass on the land as often as is necessary to prevent weeds and/or grass from exceeding six inches in height.
A. If the owner or agent fails to correct a violation as provided in an order of the Administrator within five days from receipt of such notice, the Administrator may cause the weeds and grass to be cut and removed or destroyed. All expenses and/or labor costs incurred shall be paid from the General Fund.
B. The Administrator shall certify the costs incurred to the Village Clerk of Council. The Clerk shall make a written report to the County Auditor of the charges which shall include the cost of mowing, the fees of any officer serving required notices, cost of sending or publishing notification and for obtaining a proper legal description of the premises, if necessary. These amounts shall be entered upon the County tax duplicate and shall thereby become a lien upon the premises from and after the date of entry and be collected as other taxes and returned to the Municipality for deposit within the General Fund.
(c) Pools and Ponds.
(1) The owner or agent of any pond shall maintain such pond in a clean and sanitary condition as to prevent stagnation. This provision shall not include ponds used in the process of manufacturing.
(2) Private pools over 2,000 gallon capacity must be equipped with a filtering system which is maintained in good working order.
(d) Garbage. All exterior property areas shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from any accumulation of garbage.
(e) Rubbish or Junk. The exterior property areas shall be free from rubbish placed at or on the premises in such a manner as to be patently unsightly, grotesque, or offensive to the senses or which may deteriorate or debase the appearance of the neighborhood; reduce property values in the neighborhood; create a fire, safety or health hazard, or that which is a public nuisance including but not limited to the following:
(1) Broken or dilapidated fences, walls or other such structures.
(2) Out of use or non-usable appliances.
(3) Broken, dilapidated, or unusable furniture, mattresses, or other household furnishings.
(4) Miscellaneous materials, paints, coverings or junk.
(5) Tree branches, logs, or any fire wood unless stacked in an orderly manner.
(f) Residential Porches.
(1) No open porch exposed to public view shall be used for storage purposes.
(2) All enclosed porches exposed to public view shall be kept free of foreign substances unless such areas are first screened from public view by drapes, venetian blinds or other rendering of the windows to make them opaque to the public view.
(g) Additional Standards for Nonresidential Premises.
(1) All permanent signs and billboards exposed to public view permitted by reason of other regulations or as a lawful nonconforming use, shall be maintained in good repair.
A. 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 or put into a good state of repair.
B. All nonoperative or broken electrical signs shall be repaired or shall, with their supporting members, be removed.
(2) All windows exposed to public view shall be kept free of foreign substances, except when necessary in the course of changing displays.
A. No storage of materials, stock or inventory shall be permitted in window display areas or other areas ordinarily exposed to public view unless such areas are first screened from the public view by drapes, by venetian blinds, or by other permanent rendering of the windows to make them opaque to the public view.
B. All screening of interiors shall be kept clean and in a good state of repair.
(3) All store fronts shall be kept in good repair, painted where required, and shall not constitute a safety hazard or a nuisance.
(4) 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 so as not to constitute a nuisance or a safety hazard.
A. In the event such awnings or marquees are not properly maintained, they shall, together with their supporting members, be removed.
B. 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 excessive weathering, gross discoloration, ripping, tearing or other holes.
C. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize any encroachment on streets, sidewalks, or other parts of the public domain.
(Ord. 95-1. Passed 2-20-95.)