(A) The existence of any of the following conditions on any vacant lot or other parcel of land within the corporate limits whether on public or private property is hereby declared to be dangerous and prejudicial to the public health or safety and to constitute a public nuisance:
(1) The uncontrolled growth of weeds or grass to a height of 12 inches or more;
(2) Any accumulation of organic or inorganic matter that is offensive by virtue of odors or vapors or which is inhabited by rats, mice, snakes, or vermin of any kind which is or may be dangerous or prejudicial to the public health;
(3) Any accumulation of trash, garbage or other waste not in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 95;
(4) Any accumulation of hazardous refuse or concentration of combustible items such as mattresses, boxes, paper, automobile tires, old clothes, or any other combustible materials or objects of a like nature;
(5) Open wells;
(6) Any accumulation of stagnant water causing or threatening to cause the inhabitation thereof by mosquitoes;
(7) The open storage of any item detrimental to the public health or safety including, but not limited to, any furniture, appliance, ice box, stove, glass, building material or building rubbish;
(8) Any condition detrimental to the public health which violates the rules and regulations of the New Hanover County Health Department;
(9) The presence of any debris from the demolition of any structure on the property, including but not limited to, partially demolished walls, foundations, basements, building materials and rubbish, after the cessation of all active demolition activity on the property;
(10) Placing or allowing to be placed anything on property owned or legally occupied by another without the express permission of the owner or occupant of such property;
(11) Going upon property owned or legally occupied by another after having been told not to do so by the owner or occupant of such property; and
(12) The presence of Beach Vitex (Vitex rotundifolia) on any vacant lot or other parcel of land within the town limits.
(13) The placement of graffiti upon the surface of any public or private property.
(14) The intentional introduction of any substance into any body of water which in any way renders other persons insecure in life or insecure in the use of said body of water or produces unreasonable annoyance, discomfort or hurt to other persons. For purposes of this subsection (14), the phrase "INTENTIONAL INTRODUCTION" shall include the introduction of substances on to land adjacent to any body of water wherein said substance migrates into the adjacent body of water.
(B) When any of the following conditions exist on a public right-of-way between the property line and the curb or edge of the roadway and threatens, limits, impairs or creates a hazard to the use of the right-of-way by vehicles or pedestrians, such a condition is declared to be dangerous and prejudicial to the public health or safety and to constitute a severe nuisance:
(1) Any accumulation of animal or organic matter that is offensive by virtue of odors or which is inhabited by rats, mice, snakes or vermin which may be dangerous to the public health.
(2) Any accumulation of trash, garbage or other waste not in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 95.
(3) Any accumulation of hazardous refuse or concentration of combustible items such as mattresses, boxes, paper, housewares, tires, clothes or furniture.
(4) Any accumulation of appliances, glass, building materials, demolition materials or rubbish.
(C) Requirement for minimum maintenance of exterior features. Upon written notification, by certified mail, the owner of the building or structure shall be required to correct the following conditions within forty-five (45) days:
(1) All uncovered roof areas lacking shingles, metal, rubber, masonry, or other typical finished roof material that expose the roof and portions of the structure below the same to rot, moisture, mildew, animals, or other conditions leading to dilapidation, decay, and potential safety hazards.
(2) All uncovered exterior wall areas lacking wood, masonry, vinyl, aluminum, brick, stucco, or other typical siding material that expose the wall areas and portions of the structure inside the same to rot, moisture, mildew, animals, or other conditions leading to dilapidation, decay, and potential safety hazards.
(3) Any broken window, or any window opening covered with plywood, plastic, metal, or other material other than typical window materials that expose the wall areas and portions of the structure inside the windows to rot, moisture, mildew, animals, or other conditions leading to dilapidation, decay, and potential safety hazards.
(4) Any door that is missing, hanging, and/or visibly damaged to be non-functional such that it exposes the interior of the structure to rot, moisture, mildew, animals, or other conditions leading to dilapidation, decay, and potential safety hazards.
(5) Any missing and/or broken deck, porch, or stairway railing segment that presents the potential for falling and serious injury to a person relying on the same.
(Ord. 1710, passed 5-9-13; Am. Ord. 1766, passed 5-11-17; Am. Ord. 1810, passed 9-10-20; Am. Ord. 1846, passed 6-22-23; Am. Ord. 1852, passed 8-10-23) Penalty, see § 97.99