No owner, operator or resident agent of any premises shall maintain or permit to be maintained at or on the exterior property areas of such premises any condition which deteriorates or debases the appearance of the neighborhood, reduces property values in the neighborhood, adversely alters the appearance and general character of the neighborhood, creates a fire, safety or health hazard or which is a public nuisance. Such conditions include but are not limited to the following:
(a) Broken or dilapidated fences, walls or other structures;
(b) Out of use or nonusable appliances, machinery and equipment;
(c) Broken, dilapidated or unusable furniture, mattresses or other furniture, broken glass, plastic material, paints, miscellaneous coverings and/or any other materials including those described in this section, placed at or on the premises in such a manner as to be patently unsightly, grotesque or offensive to the senses;
(d) Lawns and landscaping shall be maintained so as not to constitute a blighting or deterioration effect on the neighborhood;
(e) "Lots with structures" shall maintain grass, brush, briers, burrs, Russian and Canadian thistles at a height not to exceed four inches.
(f) No building material or materials, earth, sand or dirt intended for use in landscaping, gardening or construction and except as permitted herein, shall be left standing open or covered upon any premises for a period of time not to exceed one month without specific written authorization from the Safety Service Director or other designated official.
(g) Drainage Swales. Swales are to be maintained by the owners of the parcels on which they are located, and at no time will anyone plant shrubs, and/or trees, or discharge, empty, or place any material, fill or waste into any swale so as to divert or impede drainage flow. Small swales can be mowed as part of the yard. Larger swales in meadow situations should be mowed less frequently in order to allow grasses to grow taller to retard runoff and prevent erosion. Swales in woodland areas should be left in their natural condition leaving the understory to retard runoff and prevent erosion.
(h) Exterior storage of materials, equipment or other items not necessary or incidental to the business(es) being operated on the property.
(Ord. 02-047. Passed 6-26-02.)