(a) Generally.
(1) Scope. The provisions of this Code shall govern the minimum conditions and the responsibilities of persons for the maintenance of structures, equipment and exterior property.
(2) Responsibility of owners. The owner of the premises shall maintain the structures and exterior property in compliance with these requirements, except as otherwise provided for in Sections 1482.13 and 1482.14. A person shall not occupy as owner/occupant or permit another person to occupy premises which do not comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(3) Vacant structures and land. All vacant structures and premises thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety. The level at which vacant structures and land are maintained shall not be lower than the average standard of maintenance generally used by owners of occupied structures on land throughout the City.
(b) Definitions. The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this Code and as stated elsewhere in this Code, have the meanings shown herein.
(1) Basement: That portion of a building which is partly or completely below grade.
(2) Exterior property: The open space on the premises and on adjoining property under the control of owners or operators of such premises.
(3) Extermination: The control and elimination of insects, rats or other pests by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that serve as their food; by poison spraying, fumigating, trapping or by any other approved pest elimination methods.
(4) Garbage: The animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
(5) Infestation: The presence, within or contiguous to a structure or premises, of insects, rats, vermin or other pests.
(6) Let for occupancy or let: To permit, provide or offer possession or occupancy of a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, building, premises or structure by a person who is or is not the legal owner of record thereof, pursuant to a written or unwritten lease, agreement or license, or pursuant to a recorded or unrecorded agreement of contract for the sale of land.
(7) Occupant: Any person living or sleeping in a building, or having possession of a space within a building.
(8) Operator: Any person who has charge, care or control of a structure or premises which is let or offered for occupancy.
(9) Owner: Any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the State, county or municipality as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court. To the extent a judgment of foreclosure has been issued by the court, for purposes of this chapter, the lender named in the judgment of foreclosure shall be considered a person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property.
(10) Person: An individual, corporation, partnership or any other group acting as a unit.
(11) Premises: A lot, plot or parcel of land, including any structures thereon.
(12) Public nuisance: Includes any of the following;
A. The physical condition or occupancy of any premises regarded as a public nuisance at common law, declared a nuisance under this Code, or as defined under the laws of the State of Ohio;
B. Any physical condition or occupancy of any premises or its appurtenances considered an attractive nuisance to children, including, but not limited to, abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations and unsafe fences or structures;
C. Any premises that has unsanitary sewerage or plumbing facilities;
D. Any premises designated as unsafe for human habitation;
E. Any premises that is manifestly capable of being a fire hazard, or is manifestly unsafe or unsecure so as to endanger life, limb or property;
F. Any premises from which the plumbing, heating or facilities required by this Code have been removed, or from which utilities have been disconnected, destroyed, removed or rendered ineffective; or the required precautions against trespassers have not been provided;
G. Any premises that is unsanitary, has disabled vehicles, or that is littered with rubbish, junk, or garbage, or that has an uncontrolled growth of weeds; or
H. Any structure that is in a state of dilapidation, deterioration or decay; faulty construction; overcrowded; open, vacant or abandoned; damaged by fire to the extent so as not to provide shelter; in danger of collapse or failure; and/or dangerous to anyone on or near the premises.
(13) Rubbish: Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage. The term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke and other combustible materials, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery and dust and other similar materials.
(14) Tenant: A person, corporation, partnership or group, whether or not the legal owner of record, occupying a building or portion thereof as a unit.
(15) Yard: An open space on the same lot with a structure.
(Ord. 00-03. Passed 5-15-00; Ord. 16-31. Passed 10-17-16.)