Every vacant building shall conform to the standards of this chapter. Each and every owner of a vacant building shall cause his or her property to be inspected not less frequently than every 6 months by the Village Vacant Safety Building Inspector or his or her designee. Each vacant building shall comply with the following:
(A) Sanitary facilities.
(1) All plumbing fixtures connected to an approved water system, sewage system, or natural gas utility system shall be installed in accordance with applicable codes and ordinances and maintained in sound condition and good repair.
(2) All plumbing fixtures connected to an approved water system, sewage system, or natural gas system not installed or maintained in accordance with applicable codes and ordinances shall be removed and the service terminated and the pipes capped in the manner prescribed by the state construction code applicable codes and ordinances.
(B) Electrical system.
(1) Every existing outlet and fixture shall be properly maintained with wiring and service lines installed and maintained in accordance with the state electrical code and other applicable codes and ordinances.
(2) Outlets and fixtures not installed or maintained in accordance with the state electrical code and other applicable codes and ordinances shall be covered or removed and the service terminated in the manner prescribed by the state electrical code and other applicable codes and ordinances.
(C) Safety from fire.
(1) No vacant building or premises on which a vacant building is located shall contain any space used for the storage of flammable liquids or any other materials that could constitute a safety or fire hazard.
(2) Heating facilities or heating equipment in vacant buildings shall be removed or maintained in accordance with the state mechanical code and other applicable codes and ordinances and any fuel supply shall be removed or terminated in accordance with applicable codes and ordinances.
(D) All vacant buildings shall be properly weather-protected to prevent deterioration of the exterior and interior of the building. This weather protection shall be approved by the inspector and shall include all roof and wall assemblies.
(E) All vacant buildings shall be closed to unauthorized entry according to the following standards:
(1) All windows or similar openings shall be protected by intact glazing (glass). Boarded up windows with wood, plywood, or other material that is not window-like is allowed for only 14 days after a window is broken. After the 14 days, the window shall be replaced with a like window that is similar to the broken window.
(2) Doors and service openings with thresholds located 10 feet or less above grade, a stairway, landing, ramp, porch, roof or similarly accessible area, shall provide resistance to entry equivalent to or greater than that of a closed single panel or hollow core door one and three-eighths inches thick equipped with a half-inch throw deadbolt. Exterior doors, if openable, may be closed from the interior of the building by securing them to the doorframe using minimum one-and-one-quarter-inch-long sheetrock screws at 6 inches on center.
(3) There shall be one operable door into each building and into each housing unit. If an existing door is operable, it may be used and secured with a suitable lock such as a hasp and padlock or a one-half-inch deadbolt or dead latch. All locks shall be kept locked. Boarded up doors with wood, plywood, or other material that is not door-like is not allowed.
(F) All debris, combustible materials, hazardous or noxious vegetation, litter and garbage shall be removed from vacant buildings and premises on which a vacant building is located and further accumulation of the same prevented. Further, each and every owner of any vacant building shall remove or destroy all grass, weeds, shrubs, bushes, trees or vegetation growing or which has grown and died upon property owned or occupied by such owner, or which may constitute a fire hazard or other menace to public health, safety and welfare.
(G) All vacant buildings shall have plainly visible house numbers or address numbers as required by the Fire Code or other applicable law.
(H) Structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation by the owner of the property. Structures in which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After pest elimination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation.
(I) Structures shall be kept free of mold or any like fungi.
(Ord. 310, passed 8-1-2022)