(a) It is declared a public nuisance for any owner to cause, permit, or maintain any property condition contrary to the provisions of this section. The owner or individual responsible for the care and control of the property must adhere to the vacant property maintenance plan as contained in this section. The owner or individual responsible for the care and control of the property shall perform regular weekly inspections of the property to assure compliance with the requirements of this section, and shall allow access to the property by the Engineering Department or the Building Department for the purpose of inspection and in case of emergency.
(b) Vacant property shall be kept free of the following:
(1) Weeds or grass more than ten inches high;
(2) Vegetation growth between sidewalk and/or driveway flags or from cracks in the pavement;
(3) Dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials, rodent harborage, accumulated snow on sidewalks and driveways;
(4) Any accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, and notices (except those required by Federal, State or local law);
(5) Discarded items including, but not limited to, furniture, clothing, large and small appliances, printed material, signage, containers, equipment, construction materials; and
(6) Any illegal outside storage of vehicles.
(c) Vacant property shall comply with the minimum security fencing, barrier and maintenance requirements of the Construction Code and the Property Maintenance Code.
(d) Vacant property shall be maintained free of graffiti, tagging or similar markings by removal.
(e) Vacant property shall be landscaped and properly maintained. Landscaping includes, but is not limited to, grass, ground covers, bushes, shrubs, hedges or similar plantings, decorative rock or bark designed and maintained in an appropriate manner. Landscaping does not include weeds, gravel, broken concrete, asphalt, decomposed materials, plastic sheeting, indoor-outdoor carpet, or any similar material. Maintenance includes, but is not limited to, regular watering, irrigation, cutting, pruning and mowing of landscaping and removal of all trimmings.
(f) Pools, spas, and other water features located on vacant property shall be kept in working order or winterized to ensure that the water remains clear and free of pollutants and debris, or drained and kept dry and free of debris, and must comply with the minimum security fencing, barrier and maintenance requirements of the Construction Code and the International Property Maintenance Code.
(g) Vacant property shall be maintained in a secure manner so as not to be accessible to unauthorized persons. Secure manner includes, but is not limited to, the closure and locking of windows, doors (walk-through, sliding and garage), gates and any other opening of such size that it may allow a child to access the interior of the property and/or structure(s). Broken windows must be repaired or replaced within forty-eight hours. Boarding up of open or broken windows is prohibited except as a temporary measure for no longer than forty-eight hours.
(h) Utilities at vacant property must be properly disconnected or connected and in proper working order.
(i) Building appurtenances at vacant property must be securely attached so as not to cause a blighting condition, including, but not limited to, gutters, downspouts, shutters, railings, guards, steps, awnings, canopies, signs, light fixtures, and fire-escapes.
(j) Detached signs and lighting systems at vacant property shall be structurally sound, and maintained so as not to cause a blighting condition, or removed.
(k) Vacant property fencing and retaining walls shall be maintained structurally sound. Any fence or wall with broken or hanging components shall be repaired, straightened, or removed.
(l) Perishables shall be removed from the interior of the structures located on vacant property.
(Ord. 911. Passed 7-21-10.)