(A) General.
(1) Scope. The provisions of this subchapter shall govern the minimum conditions and the responsibilities of persons for maintenance of structures, equipment and exterior property.
(2) Responsibility. The owner of the premises shall maintain the structures and exterior property in compliance with these requirements, except as otherwise provided for in this subchapter. A person shall not occupy or permit another person to occupy premises which do not comply with the requirements of this code. Occupants of a structure are responsible for compliance with this code for these portions of the premises which they occupy and control.
(B) General property conditions.
(1) Rodent harborage. All structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Where rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes which will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to eliminate rodent harborage and prevent re- infestation.
(2) Removal of waste materials from houses and structures of every kind. It shall be the duty of every owner or occupant of any dwelling house, building or structure of any kind or description whatsoever and of any lot or parcel of real estate within the limits of the city to remove or cause to be removed from the dwelling house, building, structure, lot or parcel of real estate all ashes, waste, refuse, unwholesome materials and impure substances of every kind and description.
(3) Cleaning sidewalks in front of buildings. Every occupant, lessee or owner of any house or other building, person entitled to the possession of any vacant lot, or any person in charge of any church, jail, public hall or other building in the city, shall at all times keep the sidewalks clear from any dirt or filth to allow citizens to use the sidewalks in an easy and convenient manner.
(4) Weeds to be removed.
(a) Weeds and other rank vegetation growing upon any real estate in the city are declared a nuisance.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to allow or permit any weeds or other rank vegetation to be or remain upon any property owned, leased, occupied by or under the control of such person located within the city.
(c) Any poison ivy, ragweed, thistle, poison oak, or any growth of grass or weed, excluding agricultural crops or commodities or plants grown for recognized agricultural uses such as erosion or pest control, in excess of nine inches in height shall be considered as weeds or other rank vegetation.
(d) The Board of Public Works and Safety may authorize an exemption to the provisions of § 92.021 of this chapter upon application of any person, provided that the Board of Public Works and Safety finds that the exemption is sought for cultivated land in commercial, domestic, agricultural or horticultural use or as a natural developed forest and which does not create a health or safety hazard or does not otherwise create a nuisance.
(5) Standing water. An owner of property shall grade and maintain its property in a manner which does not allow the pooling of standing water for more than 72 consecutive hours in dry weather.
(C) Exterior structures.
(1) Exterior walls. All exterior walls shall be free from holes, breaks and loose or rotting materials.
(2) Exhaust vents. Pipes, ducts, conductors, fans or blowers shall not discharge gases, steam, vapor, hot air, grease, smoke, odors or other gaseous or particulate wastes directly upon abutting or adjacent public or private property or that of another tenant.
(3) Graffiti. Structures shall be kept free from graffiti.
(4) Roofs and drainage. The roof and flashing shall be free from defects that admit rain. Roof drains, gutters and downspouts shall be free from vegetation and attached tightly to the structure.
(5) Broken glass. The structure shall be maintained free from broken glass, including, but not limited to, glass contained in windows, doors and sky lights.
(6) Structure extensions. All extensions of a structure including, but not limited to, chimneys, porches, canopies and awnings shall be properly anchored to the structure and shall not be permitted to lean from, or hang from, the structure.
(7) Protective treatment. Exterior wood surfaces, other than decay-resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by painting or other protective covering or treatment. Peeling, flaking and chipped paint shall be eliminated and surfaces repainted. All siding and masonry joints as well as those between the building envelope and the perimeter of windows, doors and skylights shall be maintained weather-resistant and water-tight. All metal surfaces subject to rust or corrosion shall be coated to inhibit such rust and corrosion and all surfaces with rust or corrosion shall be stabilized and coated to inhibit future rust and corrosion. Oxidation stains shall be removed from exterior surfaces. Surfaces designed for stabilization by oxidation or non-ferrous materials are exempt from this requirement.
(Prior Code, § 93.71) (Ord. G-13-18, passed 11-26-2013) Penalty, see § 92.999