§ 68-495. Minimum property standards.

The purpose of minimum property standards is to eliminate nuisances that detract from the public health and safety and aesthetic quality of the community. The following requirements are required as minimum property standards:

(1)

Nuisances. The exterior of the premises and of all structures shall be kept free of all nuisances, hazards to residents, occupants and pedestrians utilizing the premises, and free of unsanitary conditions in accordance with the following requirements:

a.

All premises shall be kept free of dead trees and shrubs, excessive brush and overgrowth, excavations, standing water not a component of an approved drainage system, loose overhanging objects, and the accumulation of trash, garbage, refuse, vegetation clippings and/or debris.

b.

The exterior of the structure including signs, screens and store fronts, shall be maintained in good repair, kept painted or have similar protective coating where necessary for appearance and preservation.

c.

All exterior surfaces shall be maintained free of broken glass, loose shingles, excessive paint peeling, excessive mildew, excessive corrosion or other conditions reflective of inadequate maintenance or deterioration.

d.

Metal roofs, including accessory structures, showing signs of decay or corrosion shall be maintained, painted or repaired in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

(2)

Turf maintenance and height of grass. The exterior areas of the premises, including yards, lots and public rights-of-way shall be maintained in a manner free from nuisances, hazards and other unsanitary conditions through the following requirements:

a.

All premises with overgrown grass over six inches high on all residential properties shall be considered excessive growth.

b.

Premises landscaped with lawns, hedges, and bushes edged/or trimmed shall be kept from becoming overgrown and unsightly.

c.

Lawns shall be kept in a condition reflective of reasonable care, with grass showing no excessive signs of neglect, discoloring and/or dead vegetative growth.

d.

Owners of private properties are responsible for the maintenance of vegetation, including weeds, grass and other plant materials in the established abutting right-of-way.

e.

It shall be unlawful to dispose of grass clippings, tree trimmings, and/or other vegetative materials in the right-of-way, street, alley or waterways.

(3)

Gravel lawns. The use and maintenance of gravel lawns shall conform to the following requirements:

a.

Gravel, rock, shell and similar materials lawns are allowed and shall be maintained free of weeds and be permeable. The installation of such material shall require a grounds improvement permit from the city to ensure permeability.

(Ord. No. 07-01, § 2, 3-20-07; Ord. No. 12-01, § 2, 3-20-12; Ord. No. 15-03, § 3, 7-7-15 ; Ord. No. 17-02 , § 1, 6-20-17)