It is hereby determined that the following uses, structures, activities, and conditions are individually or in combination causes of blight or blighting factors which, if allowed to exist, will tend to result in blighted and undesirable commercial districts. No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained any causes of blight or blighting factors upon any property in the City whether owned, leased, rented, or occupied by such person. Such blight or blighting factors are:
(a) In any area zoned or used for commercial purposes, the open storage upon any property, street or alley of materials used for construction or repairs for which there is not a valid building permit. Building materials shall include but shall not be limited to lumber, bricks, concrete or cinder blocks, plumbing materials, electrical wiring or equipment, heating ducts or equipment, shingles, mortar, concrete or cement, nails, screws, or any other materials used for construction.
(b) In any area zoned or used for commercial purposes, the open storage or accumulation upon any property, street or alley of junk, trash, debris, rubbish or refuse of any kind, except refuse stored in closed containers in such a manner as not to create a nuisance for a period not to exceed seven days.
(c) In any area zoned or used for commercial purposes, the failure to maintain the exterior of any building in a condition such that windows are glazed, exterior surfaces are kept clean and painted where indicated, porches and stairs are stable and free of cracked boards, peeling paint, etc.
(d) "Inoperable vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is not capable of being started and properly operated on a highway, a vehicle with invalid plates or that is not currently registered, or a vehicle missing parts necessary for its function. An inoperable vehicle includes vehicles being stored at repair facilities that are being dismantled and used for its parts. (Ord. 2014-01. Passed 3-18-14.)
(e) "Junk" shall include but not be limited to parts of machinery or inoperable motor vehicles, tires, vehicle parts, unused stoves or other appliances stored in the open, remnants of wood, metal freezers, cans, implements, boxes, cartons, crates or any other material or other castoff material of any kind whether or not the same could be put to any immediate reasonable use.
(f) "Parking lot" shall mean all areas set aside or designed for the parking of motor vehicles or the loading and unloading of motor vehicles on the premises of or in conjunction with a shopping center, and includes all driveways, aisle ways or other areas supplementary thereto.
(g) "Proprietor" shall mean every owner, lessee, tenant, or other person having the right to possession of all or a portion of a shopping center or any commercial building. Where there is more than one such person, all shall be jointly and severally obligated by the terms of this chapter.
(h) In any area zoned or used for commercial purposes, any fence which, through lack of repair, type of construction or otherwise, is not maintained in a neat and safe condition, including but not limited to the growth of grass, weeds, vines, trees, or other vegetation.
(i) In any area zoned or used for commercial purposes, landscaping that is no longer healthy or landscaping that is dead.
(Ord. 2006-13. Passed 9-5-06.)
(j) In any area zoned or used for commercial purposes, the keeping and storing of inoperable vehicles for more than 45 days. Except properly licensed materials recovery facilities.
(Ord. 2014-01. Passed 3-18-14.)