§ 125-3. Exterior property areas.

A. 

Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the minimum conditions and the responsibilities of persons for maintenance of exterior property and premises.

B. 

Responsibility. The owner of the premises shall maintain the exterior property in compliance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant, or permit another person to occupy premises, which do not comply with the requirements of this chapter.

C. 

Vacant structures and land. All vacant structures, and premises thereof, or vacant land shall be maintained in clean, safe, secure and sanitary conditions as provided herein so as not to cause a blighting condition or adversely affect the public health or safety.

D. 

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, safe and sanitary condition.

E. 

Sidewalks and driveways.

[Amended 11-20-2018 by Ord. No. 14-2018]

(1) 

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.

(2) 

All sidewalks shall be maintained in accordance with the following standards:

(a) 

Snow shall be removed within 24 hours after the cessation of the snowfall.

(b) 

When ice, freezing rain and/or sleet appears on the sidewalk, but before it can be removed, a nonskid material, such as rock salt, cinders, ash, sand, etc., shall be applied to the sidewalk within two hours after the cessation of the precipitation that created the icy conditions.

(c) 

Any section of the sidewalk that is cracked or uplifted such that the edge of one section is elevated one-half inch or more over any point of the edge of an adjoining section of sidewalk or driveway shall be removed, repositioned or repaired to remove the tripping hazard.

F. 

Obnoxious growth; obnoxious debris; weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from obnoxious growth and/or obnoxious debris and/or weeds. All noxious weeds, such as poison ivy, poison oak and similar unhealthful growths, shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs; provided, however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.

Editor's Note: See Ch. 61, Brush, Grass and Weeds.

G. 

Rat harborage. All structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rat infestation. Where rats 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 prevent reinfestation.

H. 

Exhaust vents. Pipes, ducts, conductors, fans or blowers shall not discharge gases, steam, vapor, hot air, grease, smoke, odors or other gaseous or particulate wastes directly upon abutting or adjacent public or private property or that of another tenant.

I. 

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

J. 

Motor vehicles. Except as provided for in other regulations, not more than one currently unregistered or uninspected motor vehicle or trailer coach, and no junk vehicle, shall be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and no vehicle shall at any time be in a state of major disassembly or disrepair or in the process of being stripped or dismantled.

Editor's Note: See Ch. 150, Vehicles, Abandoned.

K. 

Exceptions.

(1) 

A vehicle of any type is permitted to be stored in a fully enclosed area or to undergo major overhaul, including body work, provided that such work is performed inside a structure or similarly enclosed area designed and approved for such purposes.

(2) 

Registered vehicle trailers and trailer coaches, other than unoccupied recreational trailers and trailer coaches registered to the property owner and temporarily parked or stored on the property, are strictly prohibited except in accordance with their intended use as permitted by other township codes regulating such activity.

Editor's Note: See Ch. 147, Trailers and Trailer Parks.

(3) 

This section shall not apply to unregistered vehicles and equipment incidental to a permitted use and utilized as part of normal business operation, whereby same may not be required to be registered to accomplish the purpose they serve.