(A) Adoption. The property maintenance code known as the "International Code Council – International Property Maintenance Code (2006)" is hereby adopted by the city as its Existing Structure Code. Future editions of this Code as published by the International Code Council are adopted as they are published, except for modifications as are presently designated herein and as may be further modified by the city in the future. A complete text of the superseding Chapter 1428 of the Reading, Ohio Codified Ordinances is attached to Ordinance 2008-23, passed February 26, 2008, as an exhibit and incorporated herein.
(B) The following sections are hereby revised:
Section 101.1. – Insert: [the City of Reading]
Section 103.3. – Amend: [In accordance with the prescribed procedures of this jurisdiction and with the concurrence of the appointing authority, the Chief Building Administrator, the designated fire code official, and the designated law enforcement officer shall be jointly responsible for all provisions of this property maintenance code.]
Section 103.5. – Amend: [Fees. Whenever an owner, operator, occupant, bona fide prospective occupant applies to the code official for an inspection in order to ascertain if any section of this property maintenance code has been violated, the code official shall upon payment of set fees, cause an inspection to be made of the premises and issue a report of the inspection to the applicant, indicating therein any violation of this code on the premises.]
Section 103.5.1. – Add: [The minimum fee for any inspection conducted under Section 103.5 shall be $20.00. An additional fee of $1.00 for each unit in excess of ten shall be charged for any dwelling of more than ten units or rooming units.]
Section 103.5.2. – Add: [The fee for any status report under 103.5.1 shall be $4.00.]
Section 106.4. – Amend: [Any person, firm, corporation, or organization that violates any provision of this property maintenance code, or fails to comply therewith, or violates or fails to comply with any notices issued pursuant to any section thereof, shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00). For a subsequent offense, such person, firm, corporation or organization shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. Fines, penalties and sentencing shall be in accordance with Chapter 698 of the Codified Ordinances of Reading.]
Section 302.4. – Amend: [All premises and exterior property shall be mowed and maintained free from weeds or plants growing with vigor and in abundance.]
Section 302.10 Trees. - Amend: [Every tree, whether located on a vacant lot or on a lot improved with any building, structure or other facility, shall be maintained in a safe condition. When a tree or any part thereof becomes in such a condition as to constitute a hazard to life or property, the code official may order the tree or hazardous portion thereof taken down and removed from the premises. Dead trees, or portions thereof, shall be considered prima facie evidence of an unsafe condition.
Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to trim or remove a tree after service of a notice of violation, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with Section 106.3 and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and trim or remove the tree thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property.
302.10.1 Trimming of trees and shrubbery. -Amend: [The owner or agent of any lot or parcel of land fronting on any street, alley or public grounds in the city, in which trees and shrubbery are planted and growing, shall trim or cause to be trimmed, all trees or shrubbery in front of the respective lots or lands when so ordered by the code official.
1. All trees, plants or shrubbery shall be trimmed so as to have a clear height of ten feet above the surface of sidewalks and 12 feet above the surface of the street or roadway; passage of the street and sidewalk must be maintained.
2. The branches of all trees, plants and shrubbery in front of and along lots or lands near which public lamps are placed shall be trimmed so as not to obstruct free passage of light from such lamps to the street and sidewalks.
3. The owner shall cut down and remove any tree, plant, shrub or any part thereof, as may be necessary to provide a clear and unobstructed view of traffic from all directions at any street or intersection, or to abate any nuisance to protect the life, limb and property of persons, drivers of vehicles, or pedestrians using any street or sidewalk.
Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to comply with the requirements of this section, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with Section 106.3 and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and trim or remove the tree thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property.]
Section 304.14. - Amend: [When using any required door, window and other outside opening for the ventilation of habitable rooms, food preparation areas, food service areas or any area where products to be included or utilized in food for human consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged or stored there shall be an approved tightly fitting screen of not less than 16 mesh per inch (16 mesh per 25mm), and every screen door used for insect control shall have a self-closing device in good working order. EXCEPTION: Screens shall not be required where other approved means, such as air curtains or insect repellent fans, are employed.]
Section 602.3. – Amend: [Every owner and operator of a building who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling units or sleeping units on terms, whether expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat to maintain a temperature of not less than 68°F (20°C) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms.]
Section 602.4. – Amend: [Indoor occupiable work spaces shall be supplied with heat to maintain a temperature of not less than 65°F (18°C) during the period the spaces are occupied.]
(`82 Code, § 1428.02) (Ord. 92-88, passed 6-2-92; Am. Ord. 98-89, passed 12-15-98; Am. Ord. 2008-23, passed 2-26-08; Am. Ord. 2013-36, passed 3-19-13)