(a) Free of Hazards and Unsanitary Conditions. The exterior of the premises and all structures thereon shall be kept free of all nuisances, and any hazards to the safety of occupants, pedestrians and other persons utilizing the premises, and free of unsanitary conditions, and any of the foregoing shall be promptly removed and abated by the owner or operator. It shall be the duty of the owner or operator to keep the premises free of hazards which include but are not limited to the following:
(1) Refuse. An accumulation of brush, broken glass, stumps and roots that presents a safety hazard. Also garbage, trash and debris which presents an unsanitary and/or a safety hazard.
(2) Natural growth. Dead trees and limbs or other natural growth which, by reason of rotting or deteriorating conditions or storm damage, constitute a hazard to persons in the vicinity thereof.
(3) Overhangings. Loose and overhanging objects which, by reason of location above ground level, constitute a danger of falling on persons in the vicinity thereof.
(4) Sources of infestations. The permitting of any premises to become infested with vermin or rodents is declared to be a nuisance and unlawful. No owner, occupant or person in charge or control of any premises, shall cause or knowingly permit such premises to become or to remain infested with vermin or rodents.
(5) Foundation walls. Foundation walls shall be kept structurally sound, free from defects and damage and capable of bearing imposed loads safely.
(6) Chimneys and all flue and vent attachments thereto. Chimneys and all flue and vent attachments thereto shall be maintained structurally sound, free from defects, and so maintained as to capably perform at all times the functions for which they were designed, and the same shall be capable of withstanding the action of flue gasses.
(Ord. 70-11. Passed 3-16-70.)
(7) Firewood. Front yards shall be kept free, and storage shall be prohibited of all firewood, brush, logs or any other material intended to be used in fireplaces or other permitted burning facilities. Storage of such materials shall be permitted only in side or rear yards and under the following conditions:
A. The firewood shall be stacked no higher than five feet;
B. It shall be cut for firewood;
C. It shall be stored five feet from the property line;
D. It shall be stored in such a manner as not to constitute a fire hazard; and
E. Storage shall not exceed an amount sufficient for one year supply of the property wherein such materials shall be stored.
(Ord. 87-54. Passed 12-21-87.)
(8) Compost piles. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed or interpreted so as to prevent persons from creating or maintaining a compost pile or piles for yard waste provided such pile or piles are not stored in quantities or locations prohibited by any provision of this chapter or by any other provision of the laws of the City. All such compost pile or piles shall:
A. Not be visible from the public right-of-way;
B. Not constitute a public nuisance or a nuisance to abutting and adjoining properties by providing a breeding place for, attraction for or becoming infested with vermin, rodents or insects or emit a smell or odor which annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities or which endangers or injures real or personal property;
C. Not create any health or fire hazard;
D. Not be created or maintained in any front or side yard or located closer than five feet from any side or rear lot line;
E. Be permitted if the compost pile or piles are enclosed by a barrier on all sides which shall not exceed four feet in height;
F. Not be in excess of one percent (1%) of the square footage of the lot or seventy-five square feet, whichever is less; and
G. Not impede any natural watercourse or drainage from any property.
As used herein, the phrase "yard waste" includes grass, leaves, branches, brush, organic natural matter and organic vegetative matter but does not include animal waste or food waste.
(Ord. 91-37. Passed 6-17-91.)