All vacant buildings subject to registration shall comply with the following standards:
(A) Building openings. Doors, windows, and other openings shall be weathertight and secured against entry by birds, vermin, and trespassers. Missing or broken glass in doors, windows, and other such openings shall be repaired and/or replaced with glass within 12 months of becoming vacant. No building opening shall be boarded for more than 12 months. All first floor or ground level windows, doors, and openings shall be free of any posters, paper, or fabric coverings.
(B) Waste removal. All waste, debris, rubbish, and garbage shall be removed from the exterior of the property and from areas visible from the public right-of-way and adjacent properties such as porches, carports, or other open areas.
(C) Roofs. The roof and flashings shall be sound and tight, not admit moisture, or have defects which might admit moisture, rain, or roof draining and shall allow for sufficient drainage to prevent dampness or deterioration in the interior of the building.
(D) Building structure. The building shall be maintained in good repair and structurally sound. The building shall be maintained in a sanitary manner and in a manner that does not pose a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare.
(E) Structural members. The structural members shall be free of deterioration and capable of safely bearing imposed dead and live loads.
(F) Foundation walls. The foundation walls shall be maintained in a structurally sound and sanitary condition so as not to pose a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, shall be capable of supporting the load which normal use may cause to be placed thereon, and shall be free from open cracks and breaks, free from leaks, and resistant to vermin.
(G) Exterior walls. The exterior walls shall be free of holes, breaks, and loose or rotting materials. Exposed metal, wood, or other surfaces shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic applications of weather-coating materials such as paint or similar surface treatment.
(H) Decorative features. The cornices, belt courses, corbels, terracotta trim, wall facings, and similar decorative features shall be safe, anchored and in good repair. Exposed metal, wood, or other surfaces shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic applications of weather-coating materials, such as paint or similar surface treatment.
(I) Overhanging extensions. All balconies, canopies, marquees, signs, metal awnings, stairways, fire escapes, standpipes, exhaust ducts, and similar features shall be in good repair, anchored, safe, and sound. Exposed metal, wood, or other surfaces shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic applications of weather-coating materials, such as paint or similar surface treatment.
(J) Appurtenance. Any portion of a building, or any member, appurtenance or ornamentation on the exterior thereof shall be of sufficient strength or stability, and anchored so as to be capable of resisting wind pressure of one-half of that specified in the building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location without exceeding the working stresses permitted in the building code for such buildings.
(K) Chimneys and towers. Chimneys, cooling towers, smokestacks, and similar appurtenances shall be structurally safe and in good repair. Exposed metal, wood, or other surfaces shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic applications of weather-coating materials, such as paint or similar surface treatment.
(L) Walkways. Public walkways shall be in good repair, shall be safe for pedestrian travel, and shall be free of snow and ice. Snow and ice removal shall be completed within 24 hours of a snowfall.
(M) Accessory building/structures. Accessory buildings and structures such as garages, sheds, and fences shall be free from safety, health, and fire hazards; and, shall comply with these vacant building maintenance standards.
(N) Exterior premises. The surrounding premises upon which the structure or building is located shall be clean, safe, sanitary, free from waste, rubbish, garbage, excessive vegetation, shall not be used for exterior storage, and shall not pose a threat to public health, welfare, or safety.
(Ord. 15019, passed 5-24-2021)