Any property on which there exists any one or more of the following conditions or activities is a blighted property for the purposes of this chapter:
(A) Abandoned building or structure.
(1) A building or structure that is not being inhabited, occupied or used, and is unsecured. For purposes of this section, a building or structure is unsecured when the public can gain unimpeded or undeterred entry without the consent of the owner.
(2) A partially constructed, reconstructed, or demolished building or structure upon which work is abandoned.
(B) Attractive nuisance. Property which is in an unsecured state so as to potentially constitute an attraction to children, a harbor for vagrants, criminals, or other unauthorized persons, or so as to enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing a nuisance or unlawful act.
(C) A building or structure that is in a state of disrepair.
(1) Exterior wall and/or roof coverings that have become deteriorated and do not provide adequate weather protection.
(2) Broken or missing windows or doors that constitute a hazardous condition or a potential attraction to trespassers.
(3) Building exteriors, walls, fences, and retaining walls that are broken, deteriorated, or substantially defaced to the extent that the disrepair visually impacts neighboring property or presents an endangerment to public safety; and driveways or walkways that are broken, deteriorated, or substantially defaced to the extent that the disrepair presents an endangerment to public safety. For purposes of this section, defacing includes, without limitation, writings, inscriptions, figures, scratches or other markings commonly referred to as "graffiti."
(4) Building exteriors, walls, fences, or retaining walls on which any painted surface is peeling, disintegrating, or sloughing-off to the extent that the disrepair visually impacts neighboring property or presents an endangerment to public safety.
(D) Property inadequately maintained.
(1) Overgrown, diseased, dead or decayed trees, weeds, or other vegetation that:
(a) Constitute a fire hazard or a condition considered dangerous to the public health, safety and general welfare;
(b) Are likely to harbor rats, vermin, and other nuisances; or
(c) Detract from the property values of neighboring properties.
(2) Landscaping that is not installed or maintained as required by this code or any permit issued pursuant to this code.
(3) Solid waste, which by reason of its location and character either detrimentally impacts the surrounding neighborhood or community, or which is allowed or permitted to be transported by wind or otherwise onto or upon a public street, alley, or sidewalk. For purposes of this section, solid waste means all putrescible and nonputrescible solid and semisolid waste material including, without limitation, garbage, rubbish, demolition and construction wastes, industrial wastes, vegetable and animal solid and semisolid wastes, reusable or recyclable material, bulky goods, and other discarded solid and semisolid wastes.
(4) Substantial accumulation of dirt, litter, or debris in vestibules or doorways of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings.
(5) Any swimming pool that is abandoned, unattended, unfiltered, or not otherwise maintained, resulting in the water becoming polluted water. For purposes of this section, POLLUTED WATER means water which contains bacterial growth, including algae, remains of rubbish, refuse, debris, papers, and any other foreign matter or material constitutes an unhealthy or unsafe condition or water which is defined as POLLUTED WATER or other similar term under state or federal law.
(E) Property that creates a dangerous condition.
(1) Land having a topography, geology or configuration which, as a result of grading operations or improvements to such land, causes erosion, subsidence, unstable soil conditions, or surface or subsurface drainage problems so as to pose a threat to or be injurious to adjacent properties.
(2) Any condition or object maintained on private property that obscures the visibility to the public of public streets or public street intersections to such a degree as to constitute a hazard. Such conditions include, without limitation, vehicles, landscaping, fencing and signs.
(3) Conditions that due to their accessibility to the public may prove hazardous or dangerous, including, without limitation:
(a) Unused and broken equipment;
(b) Abandoned wells, shafts or basements;
(c) Hazardous or unprotected pools, ponds, or excavations with barriers and/or fences that are dilapidated and unsafe;
(d) Structurally unsound fences, walls or structures;
(e) Machinery that is inadequately secured or protected;
(f) Lumber, trash, fences, solid waste or debris that may prove a hazard for the public. For purposes of this section, solid waste is defined as set forth in division (D)(3) of this section;
(g) Storing or keeping chemicals, gasoline, motor oil, or other substances that may prove a hazard to the public.
(F) Signage conditions.
(1) Signs that have not been maintained or are in a state of disrepair for a period of more than 30 days, including without limitation, broken signs, signs with missing parts, panels, letters or light bulbs, signs with exposed wiring, or signs out of plumb.
(2) Signs that are unsafe, dangerous to the public, or a hazard to traffic.
(3) Illegal signs.
(4) Abandoned signs as defined in § 8 of the City of Red Bluff Sign Regulations.
(5) Defaced signs. For purposes of this section, defacing includes, without limitation, unauthorized, unrelated or offensive writing, inscriptions, figures, scratches, or other markings commonly known as graffiti.
(G) Parking, storing, or maintaining of the following items in areas zoned for residential uses or zoned unclassified and designated by the Red Bluff General Plan as residential:
(1) Any airplane or other aircraft, or any parts thereof, in the front yard. Airplane or other aircraft, or any parts thereof, may be stored in the side or back yards if such items are concealed by a fence.
(2) Any construction equipment, machinery, vehicles or material except as follows:
(a) Such items may be temporarily kept within or upon the property for and during the time such equipment, machinery, or materials are required for the construction or installation of improvements or facilities on the property for which all required permits have been obtained and are valid.
(b) Such items may be kept in the side yard or rear yard areas if such items are used for the maintenance of the property or facilities on the property and if such items are concealed by a fence, shrubbery or other similar means.
(3) Any commercial equipment, machinery, vehicles, or material not authorized by a valid city permit when such items constitute visual blight, reduce the aesthetic appearance of the neighborhood, or are detrimental to nearby property or property values. Commercial equipment, machinery, vehicles, or material not otherwise authorized by a valid city permit may be kept in the side yard or rear yard areas if such items are used for the maintenance of the property or facilities on the property and if such items are screened by a fence, shrubbery, or other similar means.
(4) Special mobile equipment as defined in California Vehicle Code § 575 or a utility trailer or boat and/or boat trailer for a period of time in excess of 72 consecutive hours in front yard areas or in side yard or rear yard areas not screened by a fence, shrubbery or similar means.
(a) Any parking, keeping or storing of such items in the side yard or rear yard area shall be either in an accessory building constructed, located, and used in accordance with the provisions of this code or in an area concealed by a fence, shrubbery, or other similar means. In addition, 1,500 square feet, or at least 60% of the remaining rear yard area, whichever is less, must be maintained as usable outdoor recreational space.
(b) No such item shall be parked, stored or kept within five feet of any required exit, including exit windows.
(c) For purposes of this section, an item is unlawfully parked, kept or stored in any area for a period of time in excess of 72 consecutive hours when either the item has not been removed from such area for an intervening period of time in excess of 72 consecutive hours, or the item has been parked, kept or stored during the intervening period of time upon any public street.
(5) Any refrigerator, washing machine, sink, stove, heater, boiler, tank, or any other household equipment, machinery, furniture, appliance or appliances, or any parts of any of the listed items, for a period of time in excess of 72 consecutive hours. For purposes of this section, an item is unlawfully kept or stored in any area for a period of time in excess of 72 consecutive hours when either the item has not been removed from such area for an intervening period of time in excess of 72 consecutive hours, or the item has been parked, kept or stored during the intervening period of time upon any public street. This section does not prohibit the following:
(a) Machinery installed in the rear setback areas for household or recreational use;
(b) Furniture designed and used for outdoor activities; and
(c) Any item stored or kept within an enclosed storage structure or unit. For the purpose of this section, a storage unit is a prefabricated enclosure which is not required to have a building permit and is not permanently affixed to the ground, but which is not on wheels or mobile.
(6) Storing or keeping packing boxes, lumber, dirt, solid waste, and other debris, except as allowed by this code for the purposes of construction, in any areas visible from public property or neighboring properties for a period of time in excess of 72 consecutive hours. For purposes of this subsection, solid waste is defined as set forth in division (D)(3) of this section. For purposes of this section, an item is unlawfully kept or stored in any area for a period of time in excess of 72 consecutive hours when either the item has not been removed from such area for an intervening period of time in excess of 72 consecutive hours, or the item has been kept or stored during the intervening period of time upon any public street.
(H) Permit requirement. Any use which does not have all permits pursuant to Chapter 5 (Construction Regulations) of this code or where such permits have lapsed or been revoked or where such use is not in compliance with such permits.
(I) General conditions. Any condition that is detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare, or that constitutes a nuisance under any other city ordinance, state law or common law;
(J) Exceptions. This chapter shall not prohibit the following:
(1) A vehicle or part thereof that is completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner where it is not visible from the street or other public or private property; or
(2) A vehicle or part thereof that is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property on which is conducted the business of a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer, or a junkyard which is a legal nonconforming use. This exception shall not authorize the maintenance of a public or private nuisance as defined under provisions of law other than this chapter.
(Ord. 1074, passed 7-18-2023)