(A) It is the purpose of these provisions to protect both the rights of the individual residential/business property owner and the community itself by the following: minimizing discordant, unsightly, offensive surroundings; preserving the usefulness of the environment as well as protecting property values; promoting the character and integrity of the community; preserving the comfort, happiness and emotional stability of area citizens; and preventing potentially hazardous unsafe or unhealthy conditions. Towards this end, the following standards are set forth.
(B) (1) It shall be unlawful for any responsible party, as defined herein, to allow unmaintained yard/premise conditions on residential/business property, which detract from the appearance of the community thereby negatively affecting property values. Specifically, it shall be unlawful for any person to allow the conditions by accumulating or allowing to remain on residential/business premises any personal property or material which, alone or due to accumulations or concentrations thereof, creates a littered or unsightly appearance, including, but not limited to: dilapidated furniture, appliances, machinery, equipment, building materials, plant materials, fallen or cut down trees, pottery or ceramic materials, automobiles or automotive parts, tires or any other items which are in a wholly or partially rusted, wrecked, junked, dismantled or inoperative condition and which are not completely enclosed within a building of a type which fully shields the material from the view of public streets and adjacent properties.
(2) RESPONSIBLE PARTY, as used in this section, shall mean the owner, agent, tenant, occupant or lessee of residential property. OWNER, AGENT, TENANT, OCCUPANT or LESSEE, as used in this section, shall mean anyone owning or occupying a residential/business property for seven or more consecutive days, and who is thus responsible for correcting the violation. Where a tenant or lessee vacates a premises subsequent to receiving notification of a violation under these provisions, the responsibility for correcting the violation shall transfer to the property owner as listed for tax purposes.
(Ord. passed 6-9-2008; Ord. passed 12-8-2008)