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International Property Maintenance Code

International Property Maintenance Code

In order to make our city a cleaner and safer place in which to live, the City has adopted the International Property Maintenance Code, which governs the quality of maintenance of our structures and property.

302.1 Sanitation. All exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. The occupant shall keep that part of the exterior property, which such occupant occupies or controls, in a clean and sanitary condition.

302.2 Grading and drainage. All premises shall be graded and maintained to prevent the erosion of soil and to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon, or within any structure located thereon. Exception: Approved retention areas and reservoirs.

302.0 Sidewalks and driveways. All sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas shall be kept in a proper state of repair, and maintained free from hazardous conditions.

302.4 Weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeks or plant growth in excess of 10 inches (254 mm). All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetations, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.

302.5 Rodent harborage. All structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Where rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes which will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautious shall be taken to eliminate rodent harborage and prevent re-infestation.

302.7 Accessory structures. All accessory structures, including detached garages, fences and walls, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.

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

302.8 Motor vehicles. Except as provided for in other regulations, no inoperative or
unlicensed motor vehicle shall be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and no vehicle shall at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. Painting of vehicles is prohibited unless conducted inside an approved spray booth.

SECTION 305 & 306: RUBBISH AND GARBAGE – EXTERMINATION

305.1 Accumulation of rubbish or garbage. All exterior property and premises, and the interior of every structure, shall be free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage.

305.2 Disposal of rubbish. Every occupant of a structure shall dispose of all rubbish in a clean sanitary manner by placing such rubbish in approved containers.

305.2.1 Rubbish storage facilities. The owner of every occupied premises shall supply approved covered containers for rubbish and the owner of the premises shall be responsible for the removal of rubbish.

305.3 Disposal of garbage. Every Occupant of al structure shall dispose of all garbage in a clean and sanitary manner by placing such garbage in a clean and sanitary manner by placing such garbage in an approved garbage disposal facility or approved garbage container.

306.1 Infestation. All structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. All structures in which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent re-infestation.

ENFORCEMENT BY CITY: VIOLATIONS

106.1 Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for a person, firm or corporation to be in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of this code.

106.2 Notice of violation. The code official shall serve a notice of violation or order in accordance with Section 107.

106.3 Prosecution of violation. Any person failing to comply with a notice of violation or order served in accordance with Section 107 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and the violation shall be deemed a strict liability offense. If the notice of violation is not complied with, the code official shall institute the appropriated proceeding at law or in equity to retrain, correct or abate such violation, or to require the removal or termination of the unlawful occupancy of the structure in violation of the provisions of this code or of the order or direction made pursuant thereto.

106.5 Abatement of violation. The imposition of the penalties herein prescribed shall not preclude the legal officer of the jurisdiction from instituting appropriate action to restrain, correct or abate a violation, or to prevent illegal occupancy of a building, structure or premises, or to stop an illegal act, conduct, business or utilization of the building, structure or premises.

NOTICES AND ORDERS

107.1 Notice to owner or to person or persons responsible. Whenever the code official determines that there has been a violation of this code or has grounds to believe that a violation has occurred, notice shall be given to the owner or the person or persons responsible therefore in the manner prescribed in Sections 107.2 and 107.3. Notices for condemnation procedures shall also comply with Section 108.3.

107.2 Form. Such notice prescribed in section 107.1 shall be in accordance with all of the following:

  • Be in writing.
  • Include a description of the real estate sufficient for identification.
  • Include a statement of the violation or violations and why the notice is being issued.
  • Include a correction order allowing a reasonable time to make the repairs and improvements required to bring the dwelling unit or structure into compliance with the provisions of this code.
  • Inform the property owner of the right to appeal.

107.3 Method of service. Such notice shall be deemed to be properly served if a copy thereof is:

  • Delivery personally;
  • Sent by certified or first-class mail addressed to the last known address; or
  • If the Notice is returned showing that the letter was not delivered, a copy thereof shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice.

107.4 Penalties. Penalties for noncompliance with orders and notices shall be as set forth in Section 106.4.

107.5 Transfer of ownership. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dwelling unit or structure who has received a compliance order or upon who a notice of violation has been served to sell, transfer, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of such dwelling unit or structure to another until the provision of the compliance order or notice of violation have been compiled with, or until such owner shall first furnish the grantee, transferee, mortgagee or lessee a true copy of any compliance order or notice of violation issued by the code official and shall furnish to the code official a signed and notarized statement from the grantee, transferee, mortgagee or lessee, acknowledging the receipt of such compliance order or notice of violation and fully accepting the responsibility without condition for making the corrections or repairs required by such compliance order or notice of violation.