(A) Purpose: The purpose of this section is to recognize the private and public benefits resulting from the safe, sanitary and attractive maintenance of residential and nonresidential buildings, structures, yards, and vacant areas. Attractive and well maintained property will enhance the neighborhood and city and provide a suitable environment for increasing physical and monetary values.
(B) Minimum Requirements: Every owner and operator shall improve and maintain all property under its control to comply with the following minimum requirements:
1. All courts, yards and other areas on the premises shall be properly graded to divert water away from buildings.
2. Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling and roof shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight, rodentproof, capable of affording privacy, and shall be kept in proper repair. Any sagging or bulging shall be properly repaired to a level or plumb position. Interior walls and ceilings shall provide a suitable base for decorative finish, and shall not have noticeable surface irregularities or cracking. Interior walls and ceilings shall have a hard, waterproof surface in spaces subject to moisture. Floor surfacing shall provide ease of maintenance and durability appropriate for the use of the room.
3. Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof, and shall be kept in proper working condition and repair.
4. Every interior and exterior stair, porch, railing, and related accessory shall be constructed so as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may place on it. Each such item shall be kept in proper condition and repair, and shall present an attractive appearance.
5. Every plumbing fixture and water and waste pipe shall be properly maintained in good working condition, free from defect, leaks and obstructions.
6. The floor surface of every water closet and bathroom shall be properly maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
7. Every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility which is required by the city code shall be maintained in proper working condition.
8. No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility required by city code to be removed, shut off, or discontinued for any occupied dwelling, dwelling unit or lodging room, except for temporary interruption necessary while repairs are in process, or during emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by an authorized inspector.
9. All exterior property shall be kept free from weeds, and all grass areas shall be kept mowed to a height of not more than six inches (6"). (7-2-1991)
10. All exterior property areas shall be properly maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free from debris, brush, severed tree limbs, rubbish or garbage, physical hazards, rodent harborage and infestation. (6-2-1998)
11. No person shall do the following on exterior property which is part of any parcel on which there is a residential building or on which may be built a residential building:
(a) Park or leave standing a vehicle on other than a paved or graveled surface.
(b) Leave standing any vehicle parts or junked or discarded property, including refrigerators, furnaces, washing machines, stoves, machinery or machinery parts, wood, bricks, cement blocks or other unsightly debris that substantially depreciates property values in the neighborhood, except in an enclosure that screens such property from public view or upon a permit issued by the board of public works.
(c) Allow an inoperative motor vehicle to remain for a period of over thirty (30) days.
(d) Allow a trailer to remain for more than forty eight (48) hours, except as follows:
(1) A trailer which is owned by a contractor who is actively performing services for the owner or occupant of the parcel may remain for the period during which services are being performed by such contractor for the owner or occupant of such parcel.
(2) A trailer parked in the rear yard. For the purpose of this section "Rear Yard" shall have the meaning set forth in section 5-2-1 of this code. (12-5-2000)
12. Fences, other minor construction, walks, driveways, parking areas and similar paved areas shall be properly maintained in a safe, sanitary and substantial condition.
13. Exterior surfaces of buildings and structures that are not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be periodically treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative which will provide adequate resistance to weathering and maintain an attractive appearance.
14. Landscaping, plantings and other decorative surface treatments shall be installed as necessary and maintained to present an attractive appearance in all court and yard areas. Plantings shall be maintained so as not to present hazards to adjoining properties or to persons or vehicles traveling on public ways and shall be maintained so as to enhance the appearance and value of the neighborhood and the City.
(C) Investigation And Access By Housing And Property Maintenance Administrator:
1. The Housing and Property Maintenance Administrator shall investigate any report of property within the City which is suspected of being in violation of this Section.
2. The Housing and Property Maintenance Administrator may enter upon any lands at all reasonable times for the purpose of carrying out his duties under this Section.
3. The Housing and Property Maintenance Administrator shall not be liable, either personally or as an agent, independent contractor, or servant of the City, in an action in trespass or any other action for damages resulting from the performance of his duties under this Section, so long as he exercises reasonable care in the performance of such duties.
(D) Maintenance By City; Lien For Maintenance Or Repair:
1. If any person neglects to maintain or repair property as required by this Section, the Housing and Property Maintenance Administrator may cause such property to be brought into compliance in the manner he deems most economical.
2. The Housing and Property Maintenance Administrator shall establish procedures for the enforcement of this Section. Such procedures shall be set forth in writing, and shall be available to the public upon request.
3. The City Clerk shall bill the property owner or owners to recover the cost of any work or materials expended to bring the property into compliance with this Section.
4. The cost of bringing such property into compliance shall be charged to the owner or owners of such property. All such charges shall be due and payable thirty (30) days from the date of billing. Such charges shall not be payable in installments.
5. If the charge is not paid when due, the charge shall become a lien upon the property. The charge shall be entered on the next tax roll in a column headed "For Property Maintenance", as a delinquent tax against the property on which the maintenance or repair was performed. All proceedings in relation to the collection, return and sale of property for delinquent real estate taxes shall apply to such charge, except as otherwise provided by statute.
6. In case of railroad or other lands not taxed in the usual way, the amount chargeable against the same shall be certified by the City Clerk to the State Treasurer who shall add the amount designated therein to the sum due from the company owning, occupying or controlling the lands specified, and the Treasurer shall collect the same therefrom as prescribed in subchapter I, chapter 76, Wisconsin Statutes, and return the amount collected to the City. (7-2-1991)
