(A) Maintenance of exterior of all premises, residential or nonresidential, free of hazards and unsanitary conditions. The exterior of the premises and all structures thereon shall be kept free of all nuisances and any hazards to the safety of occupants, pedestrians and other persons utilizing the premises and free of unsanitary or noxious conditions. Any of the foregoing shall be promptly removed and abated by the owner, operator or occupant. It shall be the duty of the owner, operator or occupant to keep the premises free of hazards which, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Refuse, including brush, weeds, broken glass, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, animal excretion, trash, garbage, rubbish and debris. All such material shall be enclosed or screened and periodically removed;
(2) Natural growth, including dead and dying trees and limbs or other natural growth which, by reason of rotting or deterioration or storm damage, constitute a hazard to all persons in the vicinity thereof. Trees shall be kept pruned and trimmed to prevent such conditions. This provision shall be applicable to trees planted in the sidewalk area;
(3) Overhanging, including loose and overhanging objects and accumulations of ice and snow which, by reason of location and above ground level, constitute a danger of falling on persons below in the vicinity thereof;
(4) Ground surface hazards or unsanitary conditions, including holes, excavations, breaks, projections, obstructions, icy conditions, uncleared snow and excretion of pets or other animals on paths, walks, curbs, driveways, parking lots and parking areas and other parts of the premises which are accessible to and used by persons on the premises. All such holes and excavations shall be filled and repaired, walks, sidewalks, curbs and steps replaced, and other conditions removed when necessary to eliminate hazards or unsanitary conditions. Performance is to be made with reasonable dispatch upon discovery;
(5) Recurring excessive accumulations of stormwater: all lots shall be graded so as to prevent puddling. Adequate run-off drains shall be provided and maintained in a manner which shall eliminate recurrent or excessive accumulations of stormwater. The drainage of water from downspouts or air conditioning condenser units shall be directed so as not to create damage or hazard to neighboring property or sidewalk areas or shall be discharged into underground drains;
(6) Unsound foundation walls: foundation walls shall be kept structurally sound, free from defects and damage and capable of bearing safely imposed loads;
(7) Unsound chimneys and all flue and vent attachments thereto: chimneys and all flue and vent attachments thereto shall be maintained in a manner structurally sound and free from defects in order to capably perform at all times functions for which they were designed. Chimneys, flues, gas vents and other draft-producing equipment shall provide sufficient draft to develop the rated output of the connected equipment, be structurally safe, durable, smoke-tight and capable of withstanding the temperature and action of flue gases; and
(8) Exterior porches, landings, balconies, stairs and fire escapes shall be provided with railing properly designed and maintained to minimize the hazard of falling and the same shall be kept structurally sound, in good repair and free from defects.
(B) Appearance of exterior premises and structure.
(1) Residential. The exterior of the premises, the exterior of the dwelling structure, and the condition of accessory structures shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises and all buildings thereon shall reflect a level of maintenance in keeping with the residential standards of the neighborhood or such higher standards as may be established by this subchapter and the regulations promulgated pursuant to this subchapter. The appearance of the premises and structures shall be so maintained that they do not constitute a blighting factor for adjoining property owners nor an element leading to the progressive deterioration and downgrading of the neighborhood with the accompanying diminution of property values. Such minimum standards shall include, but not be limited to, the following.
(a) Storage of commercial and industrial material. Equipment and material relating to commercial or industrial uses shall be stored or used at a location visible from the sidewalk, street, other public areas or adjoining properties.
(b) Landscaping. Premises shall be landscaped and lawns shall not be permitted to grow higher than six inches without being clipped. Hedges and bushes likewise shall be kept trimmed and shall not be allowed to become overgrown and unsightly. Bushes and hedges shall be considered to be overgrown and unsightly then they are not clipped regularly, that is once during the growing season of each year; and should the said hedges and bushes not be trimmed or clipped by July 15 of any year they shall be determined to be overgrown and unsightly.
(c) Signs. All signs permitted by reason of other regulations, or as a lawful nonconforming use under the provisions of the zoning ordinance (Chapter 154 of this code of ordinances), shall be maintained in good repair. Printed matter, pictures or illustrations constituting in all or in part a sign, when no longer in use, shall be completely removed.
(d) Reconstruction of walls and siding. All reconstruction of walls and siding shall be accepted standard quality. Materials used shall not be of a type that by their appearance and under prevailing appraisal practices and standards will depreciate the values of neighboring and adjoining premises.
(e) General maintenance. The exterior of every structure or accessory structure (including fences) shall be maintained in good repair, and all surfaces thereof shall be kept painted or otherwise treated when necessary for purposes of preservation and appearance. The same shall be maintained free of broken glass, loose shingles, crumbling stone or brick, excessive peeling paint or other conditions reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance, to the end that the property itself may be preserved, safety and fire hazards eliminated, and adjoining properties and the neighborhood protected from blighting influences.
(f) Foundation. All auxiliary structures in residential areas shall be securely affixed and anchored to a foundation that would prevent said buildings from being blown from their location by high winds and moved or removed by vandals.
(2) Nonresidential. The exterior of the premises and the condition of accessory structures shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises and structures shall not constitute a blighting factor for adjoining property owners or an element leading to progressive deterioration and downgrading of the neighborhood with the accompanying diminution of property values. Such minimum standards shall include, but not be limited to, the following.
(a) Landscaping. Premises shall be kept landscaped and lawns, hedges and bushes shall be kept trimmed and from becoming overgrown and unsightly; and the same, unless trimmed and maintained, shall be deemed to constitute a blighting factor depreciating adjoining property.
(b) Signs and billboards. All permanent signs and billboards exposed to public view, permitted by reason of other regulations or a lawful nonconforming use, shall be maintained in good repair. Any signs which have excessively weathered or faced or those upon which the paint has excessively peeled or cracked shall, with their supporting members, be removed forthwith or put into a state of good repair. All non-operative or broken electrical signs shall be repaired or shall, with their supporting members, be removed forthwith.
(c) Building fronts. All building fronts shall be kept in good repair, painted where required, and maintained in a manner not constituting a safety hazard or nuisance. In the event repairs to a building front become necessary, such repairs shall be made with the same or similar materials used in the constructing of the building front, intended to permanently repair the damaged area or areas. Any cornice visible above a building front shall be kept painted, where required, and in good repair.
(d) Advertising signs or material removal. Except for “For Rent” signs or “Invalid Occupant” signs, any temporary advertising sign or other paper advertising material, glued or otherwise attached to a window or windows or otherwise exposed to public view, shall be removed:
1. At the expiration of the event or sale for which it is erected; or
2. Within 45 days after first being exposed to public view.
(e) Awnings and marquees. Any awning or marquee and its accompanying structural members which extend over any street, sidewalk or other portion of the premises shall be maintained in good repair and in a manner which shall not constitute a nuisance or safety hazard. In the event such awnings or marquees are not properly maintained in accordance with the foregoing, they shall, together with their supporting members, be removed forthwith. In the event the awnings or marquees are made of cloth or plastic or of similar materials, said cloth, plastic or other material, where exposed to public view, shall be maintained in good condition and shall not show evidence of excessive weathering, discoloration, ripping, tearing or other holes. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize any encroachment on streets, sidewalks or other parts of the public domain.
(f) Reconstruction of walls and siding. All reconstruction of walls and siding shall be of accepted standard quality. Materials shall not be of a type that, by their appearance and under prevailing appraisal practices and standards, will depreciate the values of neighboring and adjoining premises.
(g) General maintenance. The exterior of every structure or accessory structure (including fences) shall be maintained in good repair, and all surfaces thereof shall be kept painted or otherwise treated when necessary for purposes of preservation and appearance. The same shall be maintained free of broken glass, loose shingles, crumbling stone or brick, excessive pealing paint or other conditions reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance, to the end that the property itself may be preserved, safety and fire hazards eliminated, and adjoining properties and the neighborhood protected from blighting influences.
(h) Parking. Parking shall be permitted and required on the premises in strict accordance with the provisions of the zoning ordinance of the borough (Chapter 154 of this code of ordinances) and any and all other applicable ordinances.
(C) Structural soundness and general maintenance, exterior.
(1) Residential. Every dwelling and accessory structure and every part thereof shall be kept structurally sound and in good repair to avoid safety, health or fire hazards including, but not limited to, the following.
(a) Exterior walls, siding and roofs. Exterior walls, siding and roofs shall be kept structurally sound and in good repair and free from defects.
(b) Painting and other protective coating. All exposed surfaces susceptible to decay shall be kept at all times painted or otherwise provided with a protective coating sufficient to prevent deterioration.
(c) Weather- and water-tightness. Every dwelling shall be maintained so as to be weather- and water-tight. Damaged materials must be repaired or replaced promptly. Places showing signs of rot, leakage, deterioration or corrosion are to be restored and protected against weathering or seepage.
(2) Nonresidential. The exterior of every structure or accessory structure (including fences, signs and store fronts) shall be maintained in good repair. All surfaces thereof shall be painted or otherwise treated where necessary for the purpose of preservation and appearance. All surfaces shall be maintained free of broken glass, loose shingles, crumbling stone or brick, excessive peeling paint or any other condition indicating deterioration or inadequate maintenance. Such maintenance is to be conducted in a manner that shall preserve the property itself, eliminate or minimize safety and fire hazards to the property and adjoining properties, and eliminate or retard blighting influences in the neighborhood.
(3) Reconstruction of walls and siding; all areas. All reconstruction of walls and siding shall be of standard quality. The materials used shall not be of a type that, by its appearance, under prevailing appraisal practices and standards, will depreciate the value of neighboring and adjoining premises.
(4) Basements and cellars; all areas. Basements, cellars and crawl spaces are to be free of moisture resulting from seepage; and cross ventilation shall be required when necessary to prevent accumulation of moisture.
(5) Freedom from infestation; all areas. All parts of the premises shall be maintained in a manner which shall prevent infestation by insects, vermin and rodents.
(6) General sanitation and safety of premises. All parts of the premises shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, free of nuisances and free from hazards to health, safety and fire including, but not limited to, the following.
(a) Freedom from accumulations and obstructions. No accumulation or obstruction from garbage, refuse or rubbish, including, but not limited to, refrigerators, appliances, tires, used furniture and the like shall be permitted on or in any premises, except that garbage placed in proper containers may be set out for removal, in accordance with the ordinances of the borough relating to garbage collections.
(b) Floors, interior walls and ceilings. Floors, interior walls and ceilings of every structure shall be structurally sound and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
(c) Floors, generally. Floors shall be considered to be structurally sound when capable of safely bearing imposed loads for which the structure is intended to be used, and shall be maintained at all times in a smooth, clean condition, free from cracks, breaks and other hazards.
(d) Junkyards. No junkyards shall be maintained on any premises except in full compliance with this and all other applicable ordinances of the borough including, but not limited to, the zoning ordinance of the borough (Chapter 154 of this code of ordinances).
(2006 Code, § 4-103) (Ord. 93-08, passed 9-7-1993, § 203; Ord. 2006-3, passed 7-10-2006) Penalty, see § 150.99