(A) Chapter 3, General Requirements, of the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code is adopted in its entirety subject to the following additions, insertions and changes, which shall be incorporated into said Code:
(1) Section 302.4 Weeds shall be revised to read:
Weeds:
(a) Removal of weeds by owner or occupant: All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of ten inches. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. WEEDS shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs, provided however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.
(b) All premises shall be maintained free of any plant species that encroaches or invades a neighboring property or public right-of-way in a manner that results in damage to property.
(c) Authority of the City Manager: The Code Enforcement Inspector, or designee, upon notice of the existence of undesirable vegetation in violation of the requirements defined above, shall send a notice of the violation to the owner of the land directing that the weeds or other undesirable vegetation be cut or destroyed. The notice shall be sent via registered mail and shall state that the undesirable vegetation shall be cut or destroyed within five days from the issuance of the notice. Failure of service of the notice shall not prevent the cutting of the undesirable vegetation and the billing for the cost thereof as hereinafter provided.
(d) Failure to comply: In the event that the owner of a parcel of land fails to comply with the requirements of this code after receipt of the notice, the Code Enforcement Inspector, or designee, shall cause the undesirable vegetation to be cut and destroyed and the City Manager may employ such labor and equipment necessary to perform the tasks, together with any cleanup work required.
(e) Statement of costs to owner: When the city causes undesirable vegetation to be cut and the land cleaned of debris, a statement of cost therefor shall be mailed to the owner of such land by certified mail, return receipt requested. Due to a failure to obey an order of the Code Enforcement Inspector, or designee, which results in the city taking action to bring the property into compliance by either hiring a contractor or performing the work internally, an administrative charge of $30 shall be included in the compliance invoice submitted to the property owner.
(f) Cost payment: The owner of such land may pay such fees as are charged in accordance with this code to the City Auditor within 30 days after receipt of the statement of costs without further cost or appropriation from which the cost was paid. If the fee is not paid when due, the City Auditor shall certify to the County Auditor the proceedings taken under this section, together with a statement of the charges for services and a legal description of the premises. Such amounts shall be entered upon the taxes and returned to the City General Fund as provided by R.C. § 731.54. An administrative and processing fee of $50 shall be added to the total amount entered upon the taxes.
(2) Add Section 302.10 Outdoor Furniture Restriction:
(a) No person shall place, use, keep, store or maintain any furniture not manufactured for outdoor use in any yard, alley, unenclosed porch or in any other outside area. However, it will be an affirmative defense to any alleged violation of this provision that such furniture was placed in an outside location designated for the collection of garbage, refuse, or recyclable materials, in accordance with the city's garbage, refuse, and recycling service procedures, for the purpose of having such furniture removed, and said placement at said location is not more than 24 hours before the designated collection time.
(3) Section 302.14 Insect Screens shall be removed from the Code.
(4) Section 304.7 Roofs and Drainage shall be revised to read:
304.7 Roofs and drainage. The roof and flashing shall be sound, tight and not have defects that admit rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior portion of the structure. Roof drains, gutters, and downspouts shall be maintained in good repair and free from obstructions. Roof water shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a public nuisance. Roof and ground water discharge lines shall discharge at least ten feet off of the property tine whenever possible.
(5) Section 307.3.2 Rubbish and Garbage Containers shall be revised to read
307.3.2 Containers. The operator of every establishment producing garbage and/or recycling material shall provide, and at all times cause to be utilized, approved leak-proof containers provided with close-fitting covers for the storage of such materials until removed from the premises for disposal All containers shall be placed in the usual collection location no earlier than 5:00 p.m. of the day before the regular pick-up. Once containers are serviced, they shall be removed from the curbside collection location no later than 24 hours after pick- up.
(Ord. 9287, passed 3-14-06; Am. Ord. 2010-030, passed 3-23-10; Am. Ord. 2016-002, passed 1-26-16)