The following are hereby declared to be public nuisances affecting health:
(A) Exposed accumulation of decayed or unwholesome food or vegetable matter;
(B) All animals running at large, or animals kept in violation of this chapter;
(C) All ponds or pools of stagnant water, other than landscaping ponds, swimming pools, storm retention ponds, drainage ponds or ditches which convey storm water;
(D) Carcasses of animals not buried or destroyed within 24 hours after death;
(E) The deposit or accumulation of litter upon any property within the city, except for the composting of yard wastes in appropriate containers, as defined below:
(1) For the purpose of this chapter,
LITTER shall be defined as follows: all rubbish, waste material, refuse, garbage, trash, debris; excrement, urine, offal composed of animal matter or vegetable matter, or both; or any noxious or offensive matter whatever, including, but not limited to any discarded or dead animals, dead birds, dead fish, chemicals, chemical compounds, petroleum products or compounds, automobile parts or accessories, tires, wheels, furniture, appliances, junk, paper, cardboard, lids, bottles, caps, cartons, wrappers, boxes, wooden objects, plastic objects, clothing, cloth, metal objects, rubber objects, leather objects, hides, feathers, grass clippings, leaves, cut weeds, branches cut from trees or bushes, building materials, brick, cinder block, paint, concrete, sand, gravel, stone, glass, asphalt, ashes, cigarettes, cigars, food or food products, solvents, dyes, beverages and liquids, except water.
(2) For the purpose of this chapter, "litter" shall not include the composting of yard wastes at any authorized facility, or composting in compost-holding units which meet the following specifications:
(a) Does not exceed 125 cubic feet in volume;
(b) Shall be constructed of wood, wire, metal or plastic, excluding plastic bags;
(c) May be a stationary or a rotating unit;
(d) Shall be located in the rear of the property and shall be screened or fenced so that it is not readily visible;
(e) Shall be maintained to minimize odors;
(f) Shall not be allowed to attract rodents or to become a health or safety hazard;
(F) Garbage cans or recycling containers which are not rodent-free or fly-tight, or which are so maintained as to constitute a health hazard or to emit foul and disagreeable odors;
(G) All noxious weeds and other growths of vegetation upon public or private property in violation of the city code;
(H) Dense smoke, noxious fumes, gas and soot or cinders, in unreasonable quantities;
(I) The posting, placement, gluing, stapling, nailing, affixing or attachment of any handbill, poster, placard, sign, announcement or other painted or printed material upon or to any street, alley, sidewalk, lawful sign, telephone pole, power pole, light pole or traffic signal pole located on public property within the city, except as permitted within the City Building and Zoning Ordinance;
(J) All graffiti, as defined in § 92.36, located on the exterior of public or private property within the city;
(K) The deposit or storage of any inoperable or junk car or motor vehicle on a public street or alley, or on any private property. This provision shall not apply to inoperable or junk motor vehicles stored within a building or to storage of such vehicles on property that is zoned for such use by the provisions of the City Building and Zoning Ordinance, nor shall this provision apply to vehicles defined as restorable or parts cars, provided that such vehicles are stored in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(L) To permit or allow any partially-completed building or structure to exist when no current building permit exists for such building or structure, or when a previously-issued building permit for such building or structure has expired. Notwithstanding the existence of a current building permit, for all buildings and structures and work that have not begun within one year, or if the work lies idle for a period of six months or more if the work has not been substantially completed in 21/2 years of the date of the permit issuance, the permit shall expire and the building or structure shall be declared a public nuisance.
(M) To permit or allow soil erosion to occur that results in soil being deposited upon adjacent properties, public rights-of-way, public waters or storm drainage systems.
(Ord. 878, passed 6-14-99)