The purpose of this section is to protect the public health, safety and welfare by eliminating safety and fire hazards, and to retain property value, by establishing minimum standards governing the maintenance, appearance, and condition of residential and nonresidential premises, including, but not limited to, buildings, structures, yards, vacant lots and/or combinations thereof, and to protect adjoining properties and neighborhoods from blighting influences and deteriorating values.

Further, this article authorizes and establishes procedures for the inspection of residential and nonresidential premises, to fix certain responsibilities and duties upon owners and operators, to provide for the repair, demolition or vacation of premises unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use, and establishes penalties for violations of its contents.

(1)

Applicability.

a.

Every residential, nonresidential, or mixed occupancy premises located within the corporate limits of the village, used or intended to be used for dwelling, commercial, business or industrial occupancy shall comply with the provisions of this section, whether or not the buildings and structures thereon were constructed, altered, or repaired before or after the enactment of this section, and irrespective of any permits or licenses which have been issued for the use or occupancy of the premises, for the construction or repair of the premises or for the installation or repair of equipment or facilities upon such premises prior to the effective date of this section. The owner, occupant, operator or other entity responsible for the property shall be responsible for insuring that the land, buildings and structures conform to the requirements of this chapter.

b.

In any case where the requirements of this section conflict with those set by any other village ordinance or the laws of the State of Wisconsin, the higher standard shall prevail.

c.

No license, permit, or other certification or indication of compliance with this section shall constitute a defense against violations of any other local ordinance applicable to any structure or premises, nor shall any provision herein relieve any owner, operator, or occupant from complying with any such other ordinance, or preclude any official of the village from enforcing any such other ordinance.

(Ord. No. 11-23-15-03, § 2, 11-23-2015)

Undefined words. Words not specifically defined in this chapter, and which are not defined in section 18-13, Definitions, shall have the common definition set forth in a standard dictionary or common use.

Meaning of certain words. Whenever the words "dwelling," "dwelling units," "premises," and "structure" are used in this chapter, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words "or any part thereof." Words used in the singular include the plural, and the plural the singular, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the feminine the masculine.

(Ord. No. 11-23-15-03, § 2, 11-23-2015)

All premises, whether zoned residential, commercial or other, shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary and safe condition and shall comply with all applicable legal requirements of the village.

No person shall occupy as owner/occupant or shall let or hold out to another for occupancy, any dwelling of family unit, for the purpose of living therein, or own or be in control of any vacant dwelling or dwelling unit which is not safe, clean, sanitary, and fit for human occupancy, and which does not comply with the particular requirements of the following subsections.

Every owner or occupant, if the occupant has assumed responsibility under the terms of a written lease, shall either personally, or by agent, improve and maintain all property under his or her control to comply with the following requirements:

(1)

Exterior of premises.

a.

It is the duty of the owner, occupant or lessee of all premises to keep the exterior of such premises and all structures thereon in a clean and sanitary condition, free from any accumulation of debris, junk, rubbish or refuse or any similar material which could or may cause fire, safety or health hazards, or constitute a blighting influence upon the surrounding properties and free of all nuisances and/or any hazards to the safety of the occupant, pedestrians, or other persons utilizing the premises.

b.

All sidewalks, driveways, parking spaces, and similar areas shall be kept in a proper state or repair and maintained free from hazardous conditions.

(2)

Foundations, exterior walls and roofs.

a.

The foundation shall be substantially watertight and protected against rodents and shall be kept in good condition and repair. The foundation elements shall adequately support the building at all points.

b.

All exterior surfaces of buildings made of materials not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be periodically coated with paint or another suitable preservation which provides adequate resistance to weathering. Peeling, flaking and chipped paint shall be eliminated and affected surfaces treated and replaced in a workmanlike manner. All exterior wood surfaces other than roofs shall be protected by paint, stain, or other water and weather-resistant treatment.

c.

Every exterior wall shall be substantially watertight, weather-tight, protected against rodents, kept in good condition and repair, and shall be free of deterioration and decay, missing parts, serious cracking, irregularities, holes, breaks, loose or rotting boards or timber, and any other condition which might admit rain or dampness to the interior portions of the walls or to the exterior spaces of the dwelling.

d.

The exterior of every structure within the municipal boundaries of the village shall be maintained in good repair by the owner, occupant or lessee. Such maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, the avoidance of broken glass, loose shingles, crumbling stone or brick, excessive peeling of paint, loose boards, exposed insulation or exposed tar paper, or any other conditions reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance.

e.

All siding and masonry joints as well as those between the building envelope and the perimeter of windows, doors and skylights shall be maintained weather-resistant and watertight.

f.

All surface repairs shall be completed to closely match the existing surface color and texture.

g.

Every roof shall be watertight, weather-tight, kept in good condition and repair, and have no dangerous defects. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent rainwater from causing dampness in the walls. All cornices, copings, parapets, moldings, belt courses, lintel, sills, and similar projections shall be kept in good repair, free from cracks or defects which make them hazardous or dangerous.

h.

If gutters, leaders and downspouts are provided, they shall be maintained in good working condition as to provide proper drainage of stormwater. This shall include being substantially free from rust, corrosion, debris, leaves or other buildup of materials which would interfere with the proper drainage of stormwater.

(3)

Stairways and porches. Every exterior stairway and every porch and its supports shall be kept in good and safe condition and repair and shall be free of deterioration with every rail and balustrade firmly fastened and maintained.

(4)

Chimneys. Every chimney and chimney flue shall be in good and safe condition and repair.

(5)

Windows, doors and hatchways.

a.

Every window shall be fully supplied with transparent or translucent window panes which are substantially without cracks or holes, shall be substantially tight, and shall be kept in good condition and repair. Windows other than fixed windows shall be easily opened and shall be held in position by window hardware.

b.

Every exterior door shall fit substantially tight within its frame and shall be kept in good condition.

c.

Every window and door frame shall be kept in good condition and shall exclude rain and substantially exclude wind from entering the building or structure.

d.

Every basement hatchway shall prevent the entrance of rodents, rain, and surface drainage water into the building or structure.

(6)

Fences. Fences made of materials not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be periodically coated with paint or another suitable preservation which provides adequate resistance to weathering. Fences shall be kept in good repair, free of missing or loose boards, sections, panels, and free of holes or other signs of deterioration. Fencing shall be upright and not in a leaning or loose position. Fencing shall be of like and consistent materials and design.

(7)

Yards. Yards shall be kept substantially clear of debris and shall be provided with adequate lawn or ground cover of vegetation, hedges, or bushes. All areas not covered by any of the foregoing shall be treated to prevent dust or blowing or scattering of dust particles into the air. All trees, bushes, or vegetation which overhang a public entrance shall be properly trimmed to avoid obstruction of the view and movements of vehicles and pedestrians. All vacant lots shall be maintained by the owner in a clean, sanitary and safe condition. No debris shall be allowed to accumulate on such vacant lot and it shall be maintained in rodent-free condition.

(8)

Grading and drainage of lots. Every yard, court driveway, or other portion of the lot shall be graded or drained so as to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water on any such surface. Driveways shall be maintained in good condition and repair.

(9)

Refuse, garbage and rubbish storage requirements. Every building or structure shall have adequate refuse, garbage or rubbish storage facilities. Garbage containers shall have tight covers and shall be kept in place at all times. No occupant shall accumulate rubbish, boxes, lumber, metal, or other materials which may provide harborage for rodents or vermin.

(10)

Litter control.

a.

Every owner, occupant or lessee of property within the village must maintain litter collection and storage areas, if present on the premises, in a clean condition and ensure that all litter is properly stored in containers. Said litter containers shall have sealed covers to avoid distribution of the litter by animals or the elements.

b.

The owner or person in control of any public premises including, but not limited to, restaurants, shopping centers, fast-food outlets, stores, hotels, motels, industrial establishments, office buildings, apartment buildings, housing projects, gas stations, hospitals and clinics, shall at all times keep the premises clear of all litter, and shall take measures, including necessary daily clean-up of the premises, to prevent litter from being carried by animals or the elements to adjoining premises.

(11)

Infestation. Every building, structure, and all exterior appurtenances on the premises shall be adequately protected against rats, mice, termites and other vermin. Occupants and owners shall be responsible for the extermination of rodents and vermin from that part of the premises under their exclusive control.

(12)

Outdoor storage of firewood. See subsection 18-215(e).

(Ord. No. 11-23-15-03, § 2, 11-23-2015)