(a) Short title. The provisions of this Code shall be known and may be cited and referred to as "The Business Maintenance Code of the City of East Palestine" or "Business Maintenance Code".
(b) Purposes. Within the scope of this Code, the purpose of this Code is to:
(1) Establish minimum standards necessary to maintain all structures, other than dwelling structures, safe, sanitary, free from fire and health hazards and beneficial to the public welfare;
(2) Establish minimum standards governing the maintenance of structures, other than dwelling structures, in such condition as will not constitute a blighting or deteriorating influence on the neighborhood and the community;
(3) Fix responsibilities for owners of structures with respect to sanitation, repair and maintenance;
(4) Authorize the inspection of structures;
(5) Establish enforcement procedures;
(6) Authorize the vacation or condemnation of unsafe or unfit structures;
(7) Provide for the adoption of rules and fix penalties for violations thereof.
(c) General scope. The provisions of this Code shall be supplementary to all other provisions of City ordinances relating to the construction, use and maintenance of business buildings and structures and shall apply to all buildings or portions thereof which are not used or designed or intended to be used for residential occupancy.
(d) Existing buildings; occupancy and leasing restrictions. No owner shall occupy, rent or lease, or offer for rental or lease any business structure or any parts thereof which do not comply with the provisions of this Code.
(e) Conflict. In the event of conflict between any provision of this Code, including any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to its provisions and any provisions of other City ordinances, including any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to such ordinances, the more restrictive provision or provisions shall prevail.
(f) Validity. Sections and subsections of this Code and the several parts and provisions thereof are declared to be independent sections, subsections, parts and provisions, and the holding of any such section, subsection, part or provision thereof to be unconstitutional, void or ineffective for any cause, shall not affect nor render invalid any other section, subsection, part or provision thereof.
(Ord. 17-2009. Passed 11-23-09.)