The existence of any of the following conditions in any building, dwelling or dwelling unit or on any vacant lot or other parcel of land within the corporate limits of the town hereby is declared to be dangerous and prejudicial to the public health or safety and to constitute a public nuisance and is hereby prohibited.
(A) The uncontrolled growth of brush, weeds, grass, or other growth (unimproved lots defined as HEAVILY WOODED are excepted):
(1) To a height of more than 12 inches;
(2) So as to cause, threaten or be likely to cause a fire hazard;
(3) So as to cause, threaten or be likely to cause bushes and shrubbery to grow beyond the property line and/or in the public right-of-way towards the street in a manner that restricts visibility of traffic passing on the street or impedes the delivery of the U.S. Mail or creates an obstruction to vehicular traffic on adjacent roadways; or
(4) So as to cause, threaten or be likely to cause the inhabitation or breeding therein or thereon other than in their natural habitat of rats, mice, snakes, flies, mosquitoes or other pests or vermin of any kind which are or may be dangerous or prejudicial to the public health or safety.
(B) Trees uprooted or severely damaged, including trees that are excessively leaning, or which are detrimental to the public health and safety and/or to any public or private property.
(C) Any accumulation of papers, rags, rubbish, trash, junk, or other matter causing or threatening or likely to cause the accumulation of stagnant water, a fire hazard, or the inhabitation or breeding therein or thereon of rats, mice, snakes, flies, mosquitoes or other pests or vermin of any kind which are or may be dangerous or prejudicial to the public health or safety.
(D) Any accumulation of animal or vegetable matter or waste that is offensive by virtue of odors or vapors, or by the inhabitation or breeding therein or thereon of rats, mice, snakes, flies, mosquitoes or other pests or vermin of any kind which are or may be dangerous or prejudicial to the public health or safety.
(E) The open storage of any ice box, refrigerator, stove, appliances, glass, building or construction materials, building scraps, or similar items.
(F) The open storage of inoperable vehicles and boats or inoperable personal watercraft or unlicensed trailers, including, but not limited to jet skis and wave runners, provided that the restoration of antique automobiles as defined in G.S. § 105-330.9(a) or boats under construction shall not be a violation of this section so long as the restoration or construction work does not exceed 12 months.
(G) Allowing any condition to remain once an authorized federal, state, county or town official or employee declares it to be detrimental to the public health or safety.
(H) Storing abandoned, junked, or nuisance equipment or vehicles on street rights-of-way or on private property when the equipment is visible either from a street or from a neighbor's property.
(Ord. passed 2-13-2024) Penalty, see § 10.99