(A) Responsibility of owners. It shall be the responsibility of all property owners to maintain their property in a manner consistent with the standards and definitions provided in this chapter to prevent it from being declared a public nuisance. Passive maintenance of the right-of- way, including mowing and trimming, and erosion prevention and sowing of grass is the responsibility of the homeowner and/or lot owner by undertaking routine actions normally associated with yard or property upkeep. No property owner within the city shall maintain a property that is in imminent danger of becoming a fire or other hazard or is manifestly unsafe or unsecure so as to pose an imminent threat or danger to life, limb or property. Prior to certain conditions being declared as a public nuisance, a Code Enforcement Officer or his or her representative, shall attempt to contact the owner to schedule a meeting to discuss the property standards required and how to achieve those standards. Contact shall be made by the Code Enforcement Officer either in person, telephonically or via written correspondence to the last known address of owner. In the event the Code Enforcement Officer, despite his or her best efforts, is unable to locate an owner. a public notice shall be posted on the property stating that the owner shall have fifteen (15) days to make contact With the Code Enforcement Officer regarding the public nuisance violation. In the event no contact is made by owner or his or her representative, the Code Enforcement Officer may, at his or her sole discretion, proceed with issuing a notice of violation.
(B) Applicability. This section applies to all property in the city and to every owner of property in the city. The property owner shall be responsible for ensuring that he or she meets the requirements set forth in § 158.15
in order to protect the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of the city and to prevent the development of any public nuisances thereon.
(C) Declaration of public nuisance. Any property which fails to comply with the standards set forth in this chapter may be declared a public nuisance and the owner of the property shall be subject to the provisions and penalties set forth herein. Any property that has unsanitary sewage or plumbing facilities, is unsafe for human habitation, is unsanitary, littered with rubbish, garbage, junk seasonal items out of season, dilapidated items, discarded items, excessive compost, nauseous or noxious odor causing substances, or other conditions as described in § 158.15 or has uncontrolled weeds growing on it, or is in imminent danger of becoming a fire or other hazard, or is manifestly unsafe or unsecure so as to pose an imminent threat or danger to life, limb or property shall constitute and is hereby declared a public nuisance.
(Ord. 2020-1804, passed 11-12-20)
Cross-reference:
Code enforcement, see Ch. 40
Streets and sidewalks, see Ch. 95