All exterior property shall be maintained in accordance with the following minimum standards so as not to create a nuisance:
(1) Sanitation. All exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. The occupant shall keep that part of the exterior property which such occupant occupies or controls in a safe and sanitary condition. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any rubbish, trash, refuse, junk and other abandoned materials or any condition which provides harborage for rats, mice, snakes and other vermin to remain in a front yard or open area owned, occupied or in the possession of such person for a period of more than five (5) days. Garbage and refuse shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of chapter 52 of this Code.
(2) Grading and drainage. All premises with the exception of approved retention areas and reservoirs shall be graded and maintained to prevent erosion of soil and to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon, or within any structure located thereon.
(3) Walkways and driveways. All walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas shall be kept in a proper state of repair and maintained free from hazardous conditions.
(4) Maintenance of public rights-of-way. All tenants or occupants of any real property abutting any local street or alley in the city, or if no tenant or occupant, then the owner thereof, shall be required to keep that part of the street between such property lines and the curb, including the gutter of the street on which such property abuts, or up to the median point of an alley, improved or unimproved, in a safe and sanitary condition at all times. Said area shall be kept free from trash of all kinds except household waste that is being properly disposed. Grass, weeds, or other groundcover shall not exceed twelve (12) inches. Sidewalks shall be kept free from sand, leaves, algae growth, vegetation and slippery conditions.
(5) Yard maintenance. Improved lots or parcels shall be maintained free from weeds or untended plant growth in excess of twelve (12) inches in height. Vacant lots or parcels that are adjacent to an improved property shall be maintained free from weeds or untended plant growth in excess of twelve (12) inches in height a distance of seventy-five (75) feet from the property line adjoining the improved property and twenty-five (25) feet from the property line adjoining a public or private street. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees and shrubs, provided however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and individual or community gardens.
(6) Rodent harborage. All exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Where rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes which will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to eliminate rodent harborage and prevent re-infestation.
(7) Exhaust vents. Pipes, ducts, conductors, fans or blowers shall not discharge gases, steam, vapor, hot air, grease, smoke, odors or other gaseous or particulate wastes directly upon abutting or adjacent public or private property or that of another tenant.
(8) Accessory structures. All accessory structures, including, but not limited to, detached garages, fences and walls shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.
(9) Defacement of property. No person shall willfully or wantonly damage, mutilate or deface any exterior surface of any structure or building on any private or public property by placing thereon any marking, carving or graffiti. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to restore said surface to an approved state of maintenance and repair.
(10) Swimming pools. Private swimming pools containing water more than twenty-four (24) inches in depth shall meet the following standards:
a. It shall be unlawful for any person, owner, lessee, tenant, occupant, or business entity (hereinafter collectively “person”) to have, keep, maintain, cause or permit a swimming pool where the water quality deteriorates to such a poor level as to prevent clear visibility from the water’s surface to the pool bottom or as to create a breeding ground for mosquitoes or other insects or the water is stagnant allowing algae to grow.
b. Private swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, containing water more than 24-inches in depth shall be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier at least 60-inches in height above the finished ground level measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool. Gates and doors in such barriers shall be self-closing and self-latching. Where the self-latching device is less than 54-inches above the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate. Self-closing and self-latching gates shall be maintained such that the gate will positively close and latch when released from an open position of 6-inches from the gatepost. No existing pool enclosure shall be removed, replaced or changed in a manner that reduces its effectiveness as a safety barrier. Provided, however, spas or hot tubs with a safety cover that complies with ASTM F 1346 shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
(11) Toxic, hazardous, and flammable materials. The storage and use of poisonous, corrosive, explosive, flammable and combustible liquids, radioactive materials, and other materials hazardous to life or property, as determined by the city, shall conform to all applicable portions of the currently approved edition of the International Building Code and the International Fire Code. These standards are in addition to all applicable state and federal regulations.
(Ord. 2015-009, passed 12-17-15; Am. Ord. 2018-003, passed 2-8-18)