(a) Conditions Prohibited Without Permit. No owner or occupant of any premises shall maintain or permit to be maintained at or on the exterior property areas of such premises any of the following unless specifically authorized by a valid zoning or conditional use permit:
(1) Broken or dilapidated fences, walls or other structures;
(2) Out-of-use or nonusable appliances and automobile parts;
(3) Broken, dilapidated or unusable furniture, mattresses or other household furniture, broken glass, plastic materials, paints, miscellaneous coverings and/or any other materials, including those described in this section, placed at or on the premises in such a manner as to be patently unsightly, grotesque or offensive to the senses;
(4) Any unlicensed or junk vehicle;
(5) More than one inoperable vehicle;
(6) Any item mentioned in divisions (a)(1) to (5) of this section that is covered with a tarp or similar cover;
(7) Abandoned refrigerators and airtight containers.
(b) Responsibility of Owners and Occupants. The owner shall be responsible for ensuring that premises are maintained in proper condition and appearance in compliance with this section. Occupants shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition those premises or portions thereof which they occupy and/or control. In the case of commonly held properties associated with condominium, village greens or similar projects, it shall be the responsibility of the designated homeowner association or similar organization to maintain those items which are under its direct ownership or control.
(c) Rank Vegetation.
(1) Lawns and landscaping shall be kept from becoming overgrown and unsightly and shall be maintained so as not to constitute a blighting or deteriorating effect on the surrounding neighborhood.
(2) Rank vegetation shall not be permitted on any of the following premises:
A. Within any public right-of-way;
B. Developed or occupied lots within any duly recorded residential or industrial subdivision;
C. Lots within duly recorded residential or industrial subdivisions where such lots are immediately adjacent to a developed or occupied lot;
D. Any commercially zoned property;
E. Developed industrial property;
F. Multi-family developments;
G. Residentially zoned property not within a recorded subdivision where subject property is less than five acres in area.
(3) No owner or occupant of any premises shall permit vegetation to obscure or restrict vision along a public street or at an intersection so as to create a safety hazard.
(d) Noxious Weeds. No owner or occupant shall cause, suffer or allow noxious weeds to grow on any premises. It shall be the duty of the owner or occupant to cut, remove or destroy by lawful means all such noxious weeds as often as may be necessary to protect the public health and safety.
(e) Dead Trees and Branches. No owner or occupant of any premises shall permit a dead tree to stand so near to a public sidewalk or roadway as to endanger users thereof, should all or part of it fall. No such owner or occupant shall permit a dead branch to overhang a public sidewalk or roadway.
(f) Sidewalks and Driveways.
(1) All sidewalks and driveways within the public right of way shall be kept in a proper state of repair. If any sidewalk or driveway or portion thereof, by virtue of its state of repair, shall constitute a danger to public health and safety, said sidewalk or driveway or portion thereof shall be repaired or replaced.
(2) The owner, occupant or other person having charge, management or possession of any building or premises shall keep the sidewalk or sidewalks adjacent to such building or premises in a clean condition at all times.
(g) Grading, Drainage and Stagnant Water. All premises shall be graded and maintained so as to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon. No owner or occupant of any premises shall cause or permit any natural watercourse, drainage ditch, creek, brook, culvert or drain located upon said premises to become obstructed so as to hinder the flow of water.
(h) Parking Lots.
(1) Parking lots shall be kept in safe condition, free from chuck holes, depressions, large cracks and disintegrated or deteriorated areas. Parking lots which are not hard surfaced shall also be kept free from dust. Driveway aprons shall be kept in good repair and in safe condition. Damaged curbing shall be repaired or replaced.
(2) Where necessary for traffic safety, painted striping shall be provided and shall be visible and maintained in good condition.
(i) Penalty. Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
(Ord. 2307. Passed 8-26-91.)