(a) Maintenance required. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the ordinary repair and maintenance of any exterior architectural feature of a historic landmark, historic district, or conservation district property which does not involve a change in design, material, color, or outward appearance. No owner or person with an interest in real property designated as a historic landmark or property within a historic district shall permit the property to fall into a serious state of disrepair so as to result in the deterioration of any exterior architectural feature which would, in the judgment of the Historic Commission, produce a detrimental effect upon the character of the historic landmark or historic district as a whole, or the life or character of the property itself. Examples of such deterioration include:
(1) Deterioration of exterior walls or other vertical supports;
(2) Deterioration of roofs or other horizontal members;
(3) Deterioration of exterior chimneys;
(4) Deterioration of exterior stucco, siding, trim, brick, stone or mortar, including chipping or peeling paint;
(5) Ineffective waterproofing of exterior walls, roofs, roof drainage systems, foundations, including broken or damaged windows and doors;
(6) The accumulation of rubbish and debris;
(7) Any condition as to cause fire or explosion or to provide a ready source of fuel to augment the spread or intensity of fire or explosion arising from any cause; and
(8) Failure to adequately secure a building or structure to prevent vandalism or destruction of a property.
(9) All other provisions of the City’s codified ordinances regarding maintenance of property.
(b) Inspection of and notice to repair.
(1) The Historic Commission shall have the authority to direct the Development Code Administrator, in conjunction with the Chief Building Official, to investigate and inspect, any building which, in its opinion, may be a substandard historic building in accordance with this section.
(2) The Development Code Administrator and the Chief Building Official shall also have the authority to investigate and inspect, any building which, in its opinion, may be a substandard historic building in accordance with this section.
(3) Any investigation and inspection shall take place within 30 calendar days of an initial notification from the Historic Commission or identification by the Development Code Administrator or Chief Building Official.
(4) After an inspection, the Development Code Administrator shall relay their findings to the Historic Commission. If after inspection it is found that such building is substandard, the Development Code Administrator shall give written notice to the Historic Commission and owner of record or person responsible for the property stating in what respects the building is substandard, and setting forth the repairs, alterations or improvements to such building required to correct such substandard conditions or preserve the building, and a reasonable period of time in which the required work shall be done. If unable to effect such notice in writing upon the owner of record or person responsible for the property, notice shall be posted on the premises.
(5) Such notices shall also inform the owner or person responsible that the Development Code Administrator's and Chief Building Official's findings will be subject to appeal as provided in the notice.
(Ord. O2018-02, passed 2-20-2018; Am. Ord. O2019-104, passed 1-7-2020; Am. Ord. O2020-47, passed 10-6-2020)