(a) The title for this article indicates that it is broad in scope. It includes a variety of requirements for the exterior property areas, as well as the interior and exterior elements of the structure. This article provides specific criteria for regulating the installation and maintenance of building components. This chapter also contains requirements regulating the safety, sanitation and appearance of the interior and exterior of structures and all exterior property areas. Section 1713.02 through 1713.04 of this article identifies the scope of this article as containing provisions for maintaining a structure and its exterior property areas and establishes who is responsible for complying with the chapter’s provisions. This section also provides minimum maintenance requirements for vacant structures and land. Section 1713.05 of this article establishes criteria for maintaining exterior property areas and accessory structures and provides vehicle storage regulations. Section 1713.06 of this article contains the requirements for swimming pools, spas and hot tubs and provides requirements for protective barriers and gates in these barriers. Section 1713.07 of this article establishes maintenance requirements for the structural, weather resistance, sanitary and safety performance of the exterior of a structure. Section 1713.08 of this article establishes maintenance requirements for the structural, sanitary and safety performance of the interior of a structure. Section 1713.09 of this article contains provisions for maintaining components of a structure, as well as for determining unsafe conditions based on specific parameters. Section 1713.10 of this article provides for the safety and maintenance of handrails and guardrails. Sections 1713.11 and 1713.12 of this article establish the responsible parties for exterminating insects and rodents, and maintaining sanitary conditions in various types of occupancies. When specific requirements are not provided in the code, the following three options for establishing the necessary criteria are available.
(1) If the jurisdiction has already established criteria, the code official can continue to enforce that criteria.
(2) The jurisdiction may adopt its own criteria and incorporate them as an amendment to the appropriate section of the code.
(3) The code official may adopt and enforce criteria already established by the current adopted International Building Code (IBC).
(b) This article also provides the code official with guidelines for determining who is responsible for maintaining sanitary conditions and eliminating infestations of insects, rodents or other pests. Inadequate sanitation and insect or rodent infestations can have a significant impact on a community. A poorly kept neighborhood affects the self image of a community, as well as the impression neighboring communities and visitors have about the area. Responsible property owners may shy away from neighborhoods that look unkempt. As a result, property values decrease and the cycle can continue until the neighborhood is considered a slum. An area that is neat, clean and well maintained attracts owners and occupants who are usually willing to keep the area attractive, if only to protect their own interests. The code official, with vigorous enforcement of sanitation and extermination regulations, can help a community maintain a positive self-image. This creates a favorable image to the rest of the community and its visitors.
(c) This article provides requirements that are intended to maintain a minimum level of safety and sanitation for both the general public and the occupants of a structure, and to maintain a building’s structural and weather-resistant performance.
(Ord. passed 3-13-2018)