A. Minimum Standards: No person shall: 1) own, occupy, let or hold out to another for occupancy, any dwelling or family unit, for the purpose of living therein, or 2) own or be in control of any vacant dwelling or dwelling unit, which is not safe, clean, sanitary, and fit for human occupancy, and which does not comply with the particular requirements of the following subsections.
B. Foundations, Exterior Walls And Roofs:
1. Every exterior wall shall be free of deterioration holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timbers. All siding materials shall be securely attached to the structure.
2. Structures that require paint or stain should have paint or stain applied at regular intervals to exterior building surfaces. When the building has more than thirty percent (30%) deterioration of its finished surface on any wall, that wall shall be painted or stained. Such painting and staining shall be completed within ninety (90) days from the date of the first application. Paint shall be uniform in color.
3. All cornices, moldings, lintels, sills, oriel windows, and similar projections shall be kept in good repair and free from cracks and defects which make them hazardous or unsightly.
4. Roof surfaces shall be tight and have no defects which admit water. All roof drainage systems shall be secured and hung properly.
5. Chimneys, antennas, air vents, and other similar projections shall be structurally sound and in good repair. Such projections shall be secured properly where applicable, to an exterior wall or exterior roof.
6. The foundation shall be substantially watertight and protected against rodents and shall be kept in good condition and repair. The foundation elements shall adequately support the building at all points.
7. Roof drainage must be adequate to prevent rainwater from causing dampness in the wall.
C. Windows, Doors And Hatchways: Every window shall be fully supplied with transparent windowpanes which are substantially without cracks or holes, shall be substantially tight and shall be kept in good condition and repair. Windows, other than fixed windows, shall be easily opened and shall be held in position by window hardware. Every exterior door shall fit substantially tight within its frame and shall be kept in good condition. Window and door frames shall be kept in good condition and shall exclude rain and substantially exclude wind from entering the building or structure. Every basement hatchway shall prevent the entrance of rodents, rain, and surface drainage water into the building or structure.
D. Stairways And Porches: Every exterior stairway and every porch and its supports shall be kept in good and safe condition and repair and shall be free of deterioration with every rail and balustrade firmly fastened and maintained.
E. Accessory Structures: All accessory structures shall be maintained in a state of good repair and vertical alignment. Such structures include, but shall not be limited to, porches, terraces, entrance platforms, garages, driveways, carports, walls, fences and miscellaneous sheds. All exterior appurtenances or accessory structures which serve no useful purpose and are in a deteriorated or dilapidated condition, which are not economically repairable, shall be removed.
F. Abandoned Dwellings: The owner of any abandoned dwelling shall:
1. Cause all service and utilities to be disconnected or discontinued to said dwelling;
2. Lock and secure all exterior doors and windows of said dwelling;
3. Maintain such dwelling so that its foundation, floors, windows, walls, doors, ceilings, roof, porches and stairs shall be reasonably weathertight, waterproof, rodentproof, structurally sound, and in good repair such that they comply with subsection B of this section; and
4. Maintain the yard and accessory structures such that they comply with this chapter.
G. Nuisances: The interior and exterior of vacant and abandoned dwellings shall be maintained in a nuisance free condition.
H. Infestation: Every building, structure and all exterior appurtenances on the premises shall be adequately protected against rats, mice, termites, and other vermin. Occupants and operators shall be responsible for the extermination of rodents and vermin from that part of the premises under their exclusive control. In addition, the owner shall also be responsible for extermination of the rodents and vermin in all premises.
I. Refuse, Garbage And Rubbish Storage Requirements: Every building or structure shall have adequate refuse, garbage or rubbish storage facilities. Garbage containers shall have tight covers and shall be kept in place at all times. No occupant shall accumulate rubbish, boxes, lumber, metal or other materials which may provide harbor for rodents or vermin.
J. Yards: Yards shall be kept substantially clear of debris and shall be provided with adequate lawn or ground cover of vegetation, hedges or bushes. All areas not covered by any of the foregoing shall be treated to prevent dust or the blowing or scattering of dust particles into the air. All trees, bushes, or vegetation shall be properly trimmed to avoid obstruction of the view and movement of vehicles and pedestrians. (Ord. 2003-7, 9-2-2003)