§ 10-82. Property maintenance.

The owner of the premises shall maintain the structure and the exterior property in compliance with these requirements and all other applicable city ordinances. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupied or permit another person to occupy a premise that is not maintained in a sanitary and safe condition. Occupants of a dwelling unit are responsible for keeping it in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition. The exterior of a structure shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as not to pose a threat to public health, safety, welfare, or to cause urban blight or decline in property values.

(1)

Rodents. All structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rodents and rodent infestations. Where rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes, which will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to eliminate rodent harborage and prevent reinfestation.

(2)

Exhaust vents. Pipes, ducts, conductors, fans, or blowers shall not discharge gases, steam, vapor, hot air, smoke, odors, or gaseous particulate wastes directly upon abutting property or adjacent to public or private property or property of another tenant nor shall they be covered by debris, dust, or dirt.

(3)

Accessory structures. All accessory structures, including detached garages, fences, walls, retaining walls, flag poles, and antenna poles or structures shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.

(4)

Swimming pools. Swimming pools and outdoor spas shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, and in good repair.

(5)

Defacement of property. No person shall willingly or wantonly damage, mutilate, or deface any exterior surface of any structure or building on any private or public property by placing thereon any marking, carving, or graffiti. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to restore said structure to an approved state of maintenance and repair.

(6)

Protective treatment. All exterior surfaces, including but not limited to, doors, door and window frames, cornices, porches, trim, balconies, decks, and fences shall be maintained in good condition. Exterior wood surfaces, other than decay-resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by painting or other protective covering or treatment. Peeling, flaking and chipped paint shall be eliminated and surfaces repainted. All siding and masonry joints as well as those between the building envelope and perimeter of the windows, doors, and skylights shall be maintained weather resistant and water tight. All metal surfaces subject to rust or corrosion shall be coated to inhibit future rust and corrosion. Oxidation stains shall be removed from exterior surfaces. Surfaces designed for stabilization by oxidation are exempt from these requirements.

(7)

Structural members. All structural members shall be maintained free from deterioration, and shall be capable of safely supporting the imposed dead and live loads.

(8)

Foundation walls. All foundation walls shall be maintained plumb and free from open cracks and breaks and shall be kept in such condition so as to prevent the entry of rodents and other pests.

(9)

Exterior walls. All exterior walls shall be free from holes, breaks, and loose or rotting materials; and maintained weatherproof and properly surface coated where required to prevent deterioration.

(10)

Roofs and drainage. The roof, flashing, roof drains, gutters and down spouts shall be maintained in good repair and free from obstructions, shall be sound, tight and not have defects that admit rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior portion of the structure. Roof water shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a public nuisance.

(11)

Overhang extensions. All overhang extensions including, but not limited to, canopies, marquees, signs, metal awnings, fire escapes, standpipes, and exhaust ducts shall be maintained in good repair and be properly anchored. Metal or wood shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather-coating materials, such as paint or similar surface treatment.

(12)

Chimneys. All chimneys, cooling towers, smoke stacks, vent stacks, vent pipes, and similar appurtenances shall be maintained structurally safe and sound, and in good repair. All exposed surfaces of metal or wood shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather coating materials, such as paint or similar surface treatment.

(13)

Handrails. Every handrail and guardrail shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition.

(14)

Window, skylight. Every window, skylight, door, and frame shall be kept in sound condition and in good repair and weather tight.

(15)

Windows. Every window, other than a fixed window, shall be capable of being easily opened and capable of being held in position by window hardware.

(16)

Doors. All exterior doors, door assemblies and hardware shall be maintained in good condition. Locks at all entrances to dwelling units, rooming units guestrooms shall tightly secure the door.

(17)

Structure interior. The interior of a structure and equipment therein shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and in a sanitary condition. Occupants shall keep that part of the structure, which they occupy or control, in a clean sanitary condition. Every owner of a structure containing a rooming house, a hotel, a dormitory, two (2) or more dwelling units or two (2) or more nonresidential occupancies, shall maintain, in a clean and sanitary condition, the shared or public areas of the structure and exterior property.

(18)

Interior surfaces. All interior surfaces, including windows and doors, shall be maintained in a good, clean and sanitary condition. Peeling, chipping, flaking, or abraded paint shall be removed or repaired. Cracked or loose plaster, decayed wood, and other defective surface conditions shall be corrected.

(19)

Stairs and walking surfaces. Every stair, ramp, landing, balcony, porch, deck or other walking surface shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair.

(Ord. No. 1976, § 1, 2-14-06)