(a) Residential. The exterior of the premises, the exterior of dwelling structures and the condition of accessory structures shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises and all building thereon shall reflect a level of maintenance in keeping with the residential standards of the immediate neighborhood so that the appearance of the premises and structures shall not constitute a blighting factor for the adjoining property owners nor an element leading to the progressive deterioration and downgrading of the immediate neighborhood with the accompanying diminution of property values, including the following:
(1) Storage of commercial and industrial materials and equipment. There shall not be stored for more than thirty days equipment and materials relating to commercial or industrial uses, unless permitted under Chapter 521.
(Ord. 1916. Passed 5-12-03.)
(2) Landscaping. Premises shall be maintained. Lawns, hedges and bushes shall be kept from becoming overgrown and unsightly (i.e., covering windows, choking out other plants, untrimmed, etc.) where exposed to public view and where the same constitute a blighting factor depreciating adjoining property and impairing the good residential character of the immediate neighborhood. Grass shall not be let to grow higher than twelve inches. The height of grass does not apply to a naturally wooded area.
(Ord. 2249. Passed 10-11-10.)
(3) General maintenance. The exterior of every structure or accessory structure, including fences, shall be maintained in good repair, and all surfaces thereon shall be kept painted where necessary for the purpose of preservation and appearance, or surface coated with a protective coating or treated to prevent rot and decay. The same shall be maintained free of broken windows, crumbling stone or brick, peeling paint or other condition reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance to the end that the property itself may be preserved, safety and fire hazards eliminated and adjoining properties and the immediate neighborhood protected from blighting influences. All parts of all premises shall be maintained so as to prevent infestation.
(b) Nonresidential. The exterior of the premises and the condition of accessory structures shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises and all building thereon shall reflect a level of maintenance in keeping with the standards of the immediate neighborhood so that the appearance of the premises and structures shall not constitute a blighting factor for adjoining property owners nor an element leading to the progressive deterioration and downgrading of the immediate neighborhood with the accompanying diminution of property values, including the following: (Ord. 1916. Passed 5-12-03.)
(1) Landscaping. Premises shall be maintained. Lawns, hedges and bushes shall be kept from becoming overgrown and unsightly (choking other plants, covering windows, dead branches, trash and papers in and around plantings, etc.) where exposed to public view and where the same constitute a blighting factor depreciating adjoining property. Grass shall not be let to grow higher than twelve inches. (Ord. 2249. Passed 10-11-10.)
(2) Business fronts. All business fronts shall be kept in good repair, painted where required, and not constitute a safety hazard or nuisance. In the event repairs to a business front become necessary, such repairs shall be made with the same or similar materials used in the construction of the business front in such a manner as to permanently repair the damage area or areas.
(4) Awnings and marquees. Any awning or marquee and its accompanying structural members which extend over any street, sidewalk or other portion of any premises shall be maintained in good repair and shall not constitute a nuisance or safety hazard. In the event such an awning or marquee is not properly maintained in accordance with this paragraph, it shall, together with its supporting members, be removed forthwith. In the event such awnings or marquees are made of cloth, plastic or similar materials, such cloth and plastic, where exposed to public view shall be maintained in good condition and shall not show evidence of weathering, discoloration, ripping, tearing or other holes. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize an encroachment in streets, sidewalks or other parts of the public domain.
(5) All parts of all premises shall be maintained so as to prevent infestation.
(Ord. 1916. Passed 5-12-03.)
(c) Foreclosed Property. In addition to all other provisions of this Chapter 1351, if the owner or person having charge of any premises within the Village, whether residential or non- residential, which is in foreclosure, fails to comply with any notice provided for herein or fails to prohibit the existence of such public nuisance, the Village shall have the authority to take whatever action is necessary to correct the violation, including, but not limited to, enter upon any public or private property and contracting for or otherwise furnishing labor and materials necessary to correct the violation. The work the Village will do or have done is limited to minor exterior non-structural repairs. All such expenses and costs shall be paid out of Village funds appropriated therefor, and the Village shall thereafter report such expenses to the County Auditor and such amounts shall thereupon be entered upon the tax duplicate and be a lien upon such lands from and after the date of the entry thereon and shall be collected as other taxes and returned to the Village when so collected. (Ord. 2372. Passed 2-25-13.)