§ 7-222. Maintenance.

(a)

General provision. Every rental housing unit interior and exterior shall be maintained in a condition which provides the occupants with protection from the elements, a safe and healthy living environment and housing free from deterioration or slum-like conditions.

(b)

Interior; holes, cracks or breaks. Every floor, interior wall and ceiling, cabinet and all appurtenances thereto shall be kept in sound condition and free of holes, cracks or breaks that may injure a person, admit or harbor insects or rodents, admit dampness or restrict privacy. Every hole cut in floors, walls or ceilings for the passage of plumbing fixtures or pipes shall be sealed to prevent the passage of insects, rodents or vermin.

(c)

Interior; paint and plaster. Every floor, interior wall and ceiling, cabinet and all appurtenances thereto shall be kept free of any loose, cracked, scaling, chipping or peeling paint or plaster. All interior painted surfaces shall be painted with paint which is lead free.

(d)

Floor coverings; tripping hazards. Floor coverings that are torn or loose and located on a stairway or within three (3) feet of a stairway shall be removed or repaired to prevent tripping. Tears in excess of six (6) inches and tears or projections rising one-quarter (¼) inch or more above the floor surface in any location present a tripping hazard and shall be repaired.

(e)

Floor coverings; deteriorated, unsafe, unsanitary. Floor coverings such as carpeting, tile, linoleum and similar materials shall be repaired or replaced when the floor covering is severely deteriorated or when the condition of the floor covering creates an unsafe or unsanitary environment.

(f)

Exterior; weather tight, watertight and vermin proof. Every foundation, roof and exterior wall shall be reasonably weather tight, watertight and vermin proof and shall be kept in sound condition.

(g)

Exterior; deteriorated or slum-like. All exposed exterior surfaces shall be maintained so as to be impervious to moisture and weather elements and every rental housing unit shall be free of broken, rotted, split or buckled exterior wall coverings or roof coverings. All exposed exterior surfaces shall not otherwise present a deteriorated or slum-like appearance and will meet the specific requirements which follow:

(1)

All exterior wood surfaces shall be protected from the elements and from deterioration by paint or other protective treatment; except such wood surfaces composed of wood that is naturally resistant to decay;

(2)

All exterior painted surfaces shall be painted with paint that is lead free and shall be free of loose, cracked, scaling, chipping or peeling paint in such amounts as to present a deteriorated or slum-like appearance;

(3)

Roof coverings shall be watertight and weather tight and shall be free of broken, rotted, split, curled or missing roofing material in such amounts as to present a deteriorated or slum-like appearance. All roofing materials shall meet the requirements of all adopted codes and ordinances; and

(4)

Replacement materials and paint used to repair or repaint exterior surfaces of a rental housing unit shall be visually compatible with the remainder of the materials and paint on the exterior of the unit.

(h)

Landscaping. Every rental housing unit shall have landscaping in all yard areas which are visible from a public street, alley or sidewalk or a neighboring property. Such landscaping shall be installed and maintained so as to enhance the appearance and value of the property on which it is located and shall not present a deteriorated or slum-like appearance.

(i)

Exterior areas; tripping hazards. Every common area, sidewalk, driveway, parking lot and parking area of rental housing units shall be free from holes, depressions or projections that may cause tripping or may injure a person or otherwise present a hazard, including damage to a vehicle.

(j)

Inoperable vehicles; common parking areas. Common parking lots and parking areas, serving more than one (1) rental housing unit, shall be maintained free from the storage of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, unregistered or inoperable vehicles.

(k)

Inoperable vehicles; other areas. Parking areas serving only one (1) rental housing unit, shall be maintained free from the storage of wrecked, dismantled or inoperable vehicles. It is an affirmative defense to a violation of this subsection based on a wrecked, dismantled or inoperable vehicle, that the vehicle was titled to a resident of the property, that the vehicle was undergoing repair, and that the wrecked, dismantled or inoperable vehicle was repaired and any evidence of the repairs was removed within fourteen (14) days after the repair was begun.

(l)

Swimming pools; maintenance. All swimming pools, architectural pools and spas shall be properly maintained so as not to create a safety hazard, harbor insect infestation or create a deteriorated or slum-like appearance.

(m)

Stagnant water. All premises shall be maintained so as to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water when such water causes a hazardous or unhealthy condition, becomes a breeding area for insects or causes damage to foundation walls.

(n)

Infestation. Every rental housing unit and premises shall be kept free from insect, rodent or vermin infestation. Every rental housing unit and premises shall be free from the presence or apparent evidence of insect or rodent infestation, other noxious pests, nesting places and any other unsightly or unsanitary accumulation which may harbor insects, rodents or other vermin.

(o)

Maintenance of facility and equipment. Every supplied facility, piece of equipment or utility shall be so constructed, installed and maintained so that it will function safely and effectively and remain in sound condition.

(p)

Discontinuation of services. No owner, agent or manager shall cause any services, facilities, equipment or utilities which are required under this code to be removed from, shut off or discontinued in any occupied rental housing unit except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process.

(q)

Responsibility for maintenance. It shall be the responsibility of the owner, agent and manager to provide for the interior and exterior maintenance of the rental housing unit and premises.

(Ord. of 11-1-11(2), § 1)