No person shall occupy as an owner-occupant of let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit which does not comply with the following minimum standards for general maintenance.
(A) General.
(1) All dwellings and dwelling units and all parts thereof, both exterior and interior, shall be maintained in good repair and shall be capable of performing the function for which they or any fixture thereof were designed or intended to be used.
(2) Every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility which is required under these rules and regulations and every chimney and smoke pipe, shall be so constructed and installed that it will function safely and effectively, and shall be maintained in sound working condition.
(3) No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service facility, equipment or utility which is required under these rules and regulations to be removed or shut off from or discontinued from any occupied dwelling or dwelling unit let or occupied by him or her, except such temporary interruptions as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process, or during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of the service is approved by the city.
(B) Foundations, exterior walls and roofs. Every foundation, exterior wall and roof of every dwelling and every accessory structure shall be substantially weather-tight, water-tight and rodent-proof; shall be capable of affording privacy; shall be kept in sound condition and good repair; shall be kept free of all holes or breaks, and of loose or rotting boards, timbers, brick, stones and other structural material; and shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the load which normal use may cause to be placed thereon.
(C) Exterior surfaces. All exterior surfaces of any dwelling or accessory structure shall be reasonably capable of withstanding the effects of the elements and decay. Any exterior surface which is deteriorated, decaying, disintegrating or which is weathered with dirt and grime or which has lost its capability to reasonably withstand the effects of the elements and decay through peeling or flaking of the paint of other protective coating, shall be repaired, repainted or resurfaced.
(D) Exterior repairs and maintenance to harmonize with existing exterior. Whenever repair, replacement or maintenance of exterior walls or roofs is required to comply with divisions (B) and (C) above, the repair, replacement or maintenance shall be undertaken so as to match, conform and be consistant with the existing exterior, and shall comply with all applicable provisions of these rules and regulations and the ordinances of the city.
(E) Windows and exterior doors. Every window, window screen, exterior door, exterior door-screen and hatchway shall be substantially weather-tight, water-tight, wind-tight and rodent-proof; shall be equipped with all appropriated hardware; shall be capable of being easily opened unless designed to be fixed; and shall be kept in good repair.
(F) Floors, bathroom floors. All floors shall be substantially rodent-proof; be free of holes, cracks, and loose, protruding, warped or rotting floor boards which might constitute a possible accident hazard. Every water closet compartment floor surface and bathroom floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water and so as to permit the floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition. Where the floor surfaces exist they may be overlaid with carpeting designed and intended for use in bathrooms.
(G) Interior walls and ceilings. Every interior wall and ceiling shall be substantially rodent-proof; shall be free of holes and large cracks and any flaking, peeling, loose or deteriorated paint, plaster, wall board, paneling or other material; and shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the load which normal use may cause to be placed thereon. No lead-base paint shall be applied to any interior wall or ceiling. Bathroom and kitchen walls shall have water-proof surfaces where necessary to prevent damage.
(H) Stairways and porches. Every inside and outside stairway and porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be maintained in a good state of repair and free from rotting, loose or deteriorating supports, rails, floors and stairs so as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the loads that normal use may cause to be placed thereon.
(I) Accessory structures. All garages, tool sheds and all other accessory structures shall be in good repair so as not to be unsafe or become a harborage for rats, other rodents and insects. Fences and roadside mailboxes shall be maintained in good repair, solid and in the same condition required for other exterior surfaces. Television antennae shall be firmly and securely fastened to the dwelling and shall be maintained in good repair.
(J) Accumulation of debris. The interior areas of dwellings and dwelling units, including basements, attics and other storage areas, and the premises and accessory buildings associated therewith, shall be maintained free of any debris, object, material or condition which does or may create a hazard to the health or safety of any persons, is conducive to infestation, presents a fire hazard or constitutes a blighting or deteriorating influence on the neighborhood.
(K) Vegetation.
(1) No premises shall contain uncontrolled growths of vegetation and all trees, hedges and other planting shall be kept trimmed so as to avoid interference with persons or vehicles passing on public ways, easements or adjoining private property.
(2) All landscaping, including, but not limited to grass, trees, shrubbery, flowers and hedges are to be kept in a neat appearance and trimmed so as not to be a blight and deteriorating influence on the community as a whole. Lawns are to be mowed and trimmed. Grass is not to be allowed to grow greater than 3 in height without being mowed and trimmed.
(L) Driveways and walkways.
(1) Cement or asphalt driveways, walkways and parking areas shall be maintained free of loose or broken material and cracks shall be repaired as necessary to avoid safety hazards and accidents.
(2) Stone or dirt driveways, walkways and parking areas shall be maintained in forms designed to prevent the spread of stone and dirt to public ways, easements and adjoining property.
(M) Gutters and downspouts. All gutters and downspouts shall be securely and firmly fastened to the dwelling, shall be maintained free of debris which might prevent their proper functioning and shall not be allowed to discharge in the manner which might create unnecessary erosion.
(Ord. passed 8-13-1979)