Code Enforcement

6-38. – Removal of certain signs
Any sign, painted or otherwise, which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, or a product sold, on the premises, or which becomes dilapidated, shall be removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, pole or other structure upon which the sign may be found. Such removal will be within 30 days after receipt of written notification from the building inspector. Failure to comply with such notice within the time specified shall be sufficient cause for the building inspector to have such sign removed, whereas, any and all expenses of the removal shall be paid by the owner of the building, pole or other structure to which the sign is attached. If the owner should fail to make such payment, such amount shall be assessed against the property the same as unpaid taxes. Such sign shall be considered no longer advertising a bona fide business or product when the business or product has been removed from the premises for a period of 120 days.

6-40. – Political campaign signs
Political campaign signs announcing the candidates seeking public office, and other data pertinent thereto, shall be allowed any place within the city, as long as such signs are confined to private property, with the permission of the owner of such property, and removed within 14 days after the election or runoff election for which the signs are made. No political campaign signs shall be erected on, or fastened to, any public property.

Sec. 18-293. – Dwellings or other buildings or structures unfit for human habitation
(a) It is the duty of the owner of every dwelling or other building or structure or property within the municipality to construct and maintain such dwelling or other building or structure, or property in conformance with applicable codes in force within the municipality, or such ordinances which regulate and prohibit activities on property and which declare it to be a public nuisance to construct or maintain any dwelling or other building or structure or property in violation of such codes or ordinances.

(b) The public officer shall exercise the powers prescribed by the ordinances.

Sec. 18-294. – Conditions for determination of unfitness
The public officer may determine that a dwelling or other building or structure is unfit for human habitation or is unfit for its current commercial, industrial or business use if he finds that conditions exist in such building or other dwelling or structure which are dangerous or injurious to the health, safety or morals of the occupants of such dwelling or other building or structure; of the occupants of neighborhood dwellings or other buildings or structures; or of other residents of the city. Such conditions may include the following, without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(1) Defects therein increasing the hazards of fire, accidents or other calamities;
(2) Lack of adequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities;
(3) Dilapidation;
(4) Disrepair;
(5) Structural defects;
(6) Uncleanliness; and
(7) Vacant, dilapidated and being used in connection with the commission of drug crimes upon personal observation or report of a law enforcement agency and evidence of drug crimes being committed.

Litter
46-10. – Littering
It shall be unlawful for any person to sweep, throw, drop, litter or move any dirt, filth, paper, bottle, can, garbage or trash of any kind upon any street, sidewalk or other public place, or upon the property of another, without the consent of the owner or lawful occupant of the property.

Grass and Debris
Sec. 46-11. – Weeds, rubbish, etc., on private property; removal required; punishment for violation.

(a) Every person, whether owner, tenant, agent or employee, owning, holding or occupying property in the city shall at all times maintain such property, whether a vacant lot or otherwise, in a clean and sanitary condition, keeping all weeds, grass and undergrowth on such property cut and keeping all waste material, dead animals, trash and rubbish of every kind cleaned off of such property.

(b) If any such person shall fail or refuse to cut and remove weeds, grass and undergrowth, or fail or refuse to clean up all such waste from such property within ten days after notice by an official or employee of the city, such person shall be punished as provided in section 1-12 of this Code.

(c) The growth of grass, weeds or undergrowth to a height in excess of 18 inches above the ground shall be deemed a violation of this section.

Inoperable / Junked Vehicles
Sec. 46-14. – Junked and dismantled automobiles and discarded personal property—Maximum storage period
It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any furniture, appliance, machinery or equipment, including motor vehicles which are either in a wholly or partially rusted, wrecked, junked, dismantled or inoperative condition to remain on the premises of any dwelling, dwelling unit, place of business or vacant lot for a period in excess of 30 days.

Sec. 46-15. – Junked and dismantled automobiles and discarded personal property—Duty of owners, occupants and inhabitants.
It shall be the duty of owners, occupants and inhabitants of any building, dwelling or dwelling unit to keep the exterior of such building, dwelling or dwelling unit, including its premises, yards, lawns, courts and alleys, clean, clear and free of any accumulation or deposit of the items set forth in section 46-14; provided, the owner of a dwelling or building containing two or more dwelling units, tenants or occupants shall be responsible for maintaining the shared or public area of the dwelling or building and premises thereof. The same duty under this section shall rest upon the owner of any vacant lot.

Prohibited Signs on Utility Poles
90-9. – Signs on utility poles
It shall be unlawful to tack, staple or otherwise place any sign, bill, poster or advertisement of any nature on any pole or other fixture owned, used or maintained by any public utility.