§ 1.20.022. Substandard property maintenance as a public nuisance.

In addition to the activities enumerated as public nuisances in Section 1.20.020, it is declared to be a public nuisance for any person owning, leasing, occupying or having charge or possession of any premises in the county to maintain such premises in such manner so as to be injurious to the health, or to be indecent or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property. Such public nuisances shall include, but are not limited to:

A.

Overgrown, dead, decayed or diseased trees, weeds and other vegetation that, as determined by the enforcement officer:

1.

Is likely to harbor rats, vermin, and other similar nuisances;

2.

Constitutes a fire hazard or condition dangerous to the public health, safety and general welfare.

B.

The presence or accumulation on a premises of any of the following for a period exceeding two weeks, as determined by the enforcement officer:

1.

Debris, rubbish, scrap materials, and trash;

2.

Broken or discarded household furnishings, appliances, boxes and cartons, and similar materials;

3.

An area exceeding one hundred square feet containing lumber and building materials not being used for construction on the premises. This subsection does not prohibit the accumulation of used lumber, scraps and/or materials fabricated out of wood for use as firewood or fuel. Provided, however, that any such accumulation shall be neatly stacked and the components of such accumulation shall be sawed or otherwise reduced in size so that no piece thereof exceeds five feet in length or two feet in width;

4.

Vehicle parts and tires;

5.

Construction equipment and machinery except when in use for construction on the premises;

6.

This section shall not apply to any property which has been approved for such storage use.

C.

As determined by the enforcement official, objects including, but not limited to, unprotected and/or hazardous pools, ponds, ice boxes, refrigerators, or excavations which tend to attract children or other curious individuals, and which present a threat to the health, safety or welfare of such individuals.

D.

Structures or buildings, both permanent and temporary, or other property improvements, which are subject to any of the following conditions as determined by the enforcement officer:

1.

Are structurally unsafe, either entirely or in part;

2.

Constitute a fire hazard;

3.

A building or structure which is not completed within a reasonable time or for which the permit for such construction has expired;

4.

Unoccupied buildings which have been left unlocked or otherwise open or unsecured from intrusion by persons, animals, or the elements;

5.

Fences and walls which are in a hazardous condition;

6.

Contain broken windows constituting hazardous conditions and inviting trespassers and malicious mischief.

E.

The storage and/or maintenance of vehicles and other mobile equipment in the front areas of a property (excluding paved driveways) for more than three days.

F.

Disposal of oil, gasoline, other petroleum products, noxious chemicals, pesticides, or other gaseous, liquid or solid wastes in such a manner as to constitute a health hazard or degrade the appearance of or detract from the aesthetic and property values of neighboring properties.

G.

Graffiti on any residence, rental housing, multi-residential, commercial or industrial building, structure, sidewalk or driveway.

H.

Any dead, diseased, infested, or dying tree or shrub on any property so near to a street, public right of way, or public utility easement so as to constitute a danger or hazard to pedestrian or vehicle travel, or persons or property other than the owner of the tree or shrub.

I.

Any person owning, leasing, occupying or having charge or possession of any premises or property to permit on such premises or property any parked operable vehicle, recreation vehicle, motor home, trailer, camper, camper shell or boat to be used for a residential occupancy except on property zoned for mobile home parks or in compliance with Chapter 18.126.

(Ord. 1282 § 2, 2006)

(Ord. No. 1355, § 2, 3-1-2011)