(A) Policy. It is the policy of the City to enhance the supply of safe, sanitary, and adequate property for its citizens and to prevent the deterioration and blight of existing property in the City and preserve and enhance the health, safety, welfare, and value of neighboring properties.
(B) Purpose. The purpose of the Property Maintenance Ordinance is to establish a level of maintenance standards for all property, housing, and accessory Structures in the City of Lake St. Croix Beach in order to;
(1) Protect the character, value and stability of properties and promote the health, safety, and welfare of all residents within the City of Lake St. Croix Beach.
(2) Provide appropriate standards for the maintenance of properties and Buildings, and to thus prevent deterioration and blight.
(C) Applicability and scope. This Property Maintenance Ordinance shall apply to properties within the City of Lake St. Croix Beach, including the exterior portion of all Buildings, whether residential or Commercial, Owner occupied or rental Dwellings, and vacant Buildings, Accessory Buildings of any sort, and the surrounding Lot including vacant Lots.
(D) Definitions. “Working state of maintenance and repair” is defined as: safe, sanitary, structurally sound and in good repair, without significant deterioration, corrosion, deformation, pest infestation, or signs of neglect, so as not to pose a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare.
(E) Exterior Of Structures. The exterior of residential, Commercial, and accessory Structures in the City shall comply with the following standards. These standards are in addition to any standards set forth in the City Building Codes set forth in Chapter 500 Building Code and Chapter 1500 relating to Nuisance.
(F) Foundations and Structural Elements.
(1) All foundations, walls and roofs, windows, doors, and other structural elements of every Structure shall be maintained in a working state of maintenance and repair.
(2) The foundation elements shall adequately support the Building at all points.
(3) Exterior elements such as walls, soffits, fascia, trim, and eaves, shall be finished with siding or finish material and be free of holes, breaks, loose, or rotting boards or timbers, falling or loose stucco or brick, substantial amounts of peeling paint and any conditions which might admit moisture, rodents, and pests to the interior portions of the walls or to the interior spaces of the Structure. Tar paper, Tyvek or similar materials are not considered appropriate finish materials.
(4) The roof Structure and all of its components shall be in a working state of maintenance and repair, and have no defects which admit water. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent water from causing dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior portion of the Structure. The use of tarps is considered temporary and not a finished roof.
(5) Wood or other decay-prone materials shall be finished with an appropriate protective coating.
(6) Windows and doors shall be in a working state of maintenance and repair, and not have broken glass panes, hinges, or locks, and shall seal the Building from intrusion by the weather, animals, and insects. Screens shall be maintained in good repair.
(G) Stairs, Porches, and Decks.
(1) Stairs, porches, decks and all railings and other appurtenances attached thereto shall be in a working state of maintenance and repair so as to be safe and capable of supporting a load as determined in the Building Code and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.
(2) Stairs, porches, decks, and appurtenances attached thereto shall be free of holes, breaks, loose, or rotting boards or timbers, falling or loose stucco or brick, substantial amounts of peeling paint and any conditions which might admit moisture to the interior portions of any Structure.
(H) Accessory Structures. The exterior of all Buildings and accessory Structures including but not limited to attached Garages, detached Garages, sheds, gazebos, and pole Buildings shall be maintained in a working state of maintenance and repair so as not to pose a threat to public health, safety, or welfare.
(I) Enforcement. Upon written complaint by a resident, it is the duty of the City Zoning Administrator or their designee to enforce the provisions of the Property Maintenance Code. This code may be enforced by civil court process, criminal court process, or administrative citation process. Any costs that are incurred by the City to bring a property into compliance with this ordinance shall be invoiced to the property Owner. Charges that remain unpaid 30 days after notice will be applied as an assessment and certified to the Washington County Auditor for collection with the real estate taxes.
(J) Inspections. The City Zoning Administrator shall be authorized to determine the condition of Dwellings in the City under this code in order to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public.