(A) Properties subject to this subchapter shall be maintained to be consistent with the neighborhood standard.
(B) Properties subject to this subchapter shall be kept free of: tall vegetation more than six inches high; vegetation growth between sidewalk and/or driveway flags or from cracks in the pavement; dry brush; dead vegetation; trash; junk; debris; building materials; rodent harborage; any accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, notices (except those required by federal, state or local law); discarded items including, but not limited to, furniture, clothing, large and small appliances, printed material, signage, containers, equipment, construction materials; or any illegal outside storage of vehicles or vehicle parts.
(C) Properties subject to this subchapter 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 shall be maintained in an appropriate manner. Permissible landscaping does not include bare soils or dirt, weeds, unclean gravel, broken concrete, asphalt, decomposed materials, exposed plastic sheeting, carpet or any similar material.
(D) Pools, spas and other water features shall be kept in working order or winterized to ensure that water remains clear and free of pollutants and debris, or drained and kept dry and free of debris to prevent the breeding of airborne pests.
(E) Properties subject to this subchapter shall be maintained in a secure manner so as not to be accessible to unauthorized persons. Secure manner includes, but 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).
(F) Commercial buildings which exhibit evidence of vacancy shall be maintained as to give the appearance of evidence of occupancy, to include:
(1) Maintaining the exterior of the property in good order including cleaned windows, a lit interior at night with the view into the first floor to be easily viewed by law enforcement officers to maintain security on the premises, and facade materials maintained in a good state of repair including no peeling paint, missing mortar, rusted metal and the like. This provision shall not be construed to prohibit the use of a normal curtain or shade inside the windows to obstruct the visibility of personal property inside the structure. The lighting requirement can be met by using battery operated string lighting; and
(2) All first floor windows installed with clean solid glass and all upper windows shall have glass, secure-vue, plexi-glass or painted one-half-inch plywood (not particle board) installed and secured within each window opening.
(G) Sidewalks shall be maintained free of hazardous conditions to include, but not limited to, overhanging tree branches, brush encroachments into the walkway, volunteer vegetation, broken concrete, sunken concrete, dirt or debris.
(H) Except as expressly provided herein, properties that are subject to this subchapter shall comply with the minimum exterior provisions of the most recent edition of the International Property Maintenance Code adopted by the city.
(Prior Code, § 12.08.09) (Ord. 927, passed 5-6-2019; Ord. 988, passed 1-4-2021)