[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of
Richfield 7-21-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-6-4 (Ch. 47 of prior Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
The Village Board hereby finds that there exist, and may in
the future exist, within the Village, buildings or structures that
are likely to affect, by reason of their maintenance or lack thereof,
the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of this community.
To prevent or correct the existence of such adverse conditions and
to achieve and maintain such levels of building environmental quality
as well as protect and promote health, safety and general welfare,
it is herewith declared that there is a need for the establishment
of certain standards relating to the maintenance of buildings, structures
and surrounding areas. It is further declared that failure to maintain
buildings or other structures in a reasonable state of repair or to
keep the exterior of buildings and structures in a reasonably attractive
condition affects the value of other properties in the area and adversely
affects the environment and living conditions in the area and that
each of the aforesaid conditions creates a public nuisance.
It is the purpose of this chapter to assist in preventing property
deterioration and the creation of subsafety conditions in all buildings
and structures by requiring an adequate level of maintenance and repair
thereof.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply uniformly to the
maintenance of all buildings or structures and areas surrounding the
same, irrespective of when or under what condition or conditions such
buildings were originally constructed.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Property
Maintenance Code" and may be hereinafter referred to as "this chapter."
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings assigned to them in this section. Words and
phrases not herein otherwise defined shall have the meanings accepted
by common use.
Approved by the local authority having such administrative
authority.
An impaired condition leading to deterioration. Any property
which by reason of abandonment, dilapidation, deterioration, age or
obsolescence; inadequate provisions for ventilation, light, air or
sanitation; high density of population and overcrowding; faulty lot
layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility or usefulness;
unsanitary or unsafe conditions; deterioration of site or other improvements;
the existence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire
or other causes; or any combination of such factors may be detrimental
to public health, safety or welfare or have an adverse effect on surrounding
properties.
A structure enclosed within exterior walls or fire walls
built, erected and framed of component structured parts designed for
the housing, shelter, enclosure and support of individuals, animals
or property of any kind.
Broken concrete, bricks, blocks or other mineral matter,
bottles, porcelain and other glass or crockery, boxes, lumber (new
or used), posts, sticks or other wood (not used as firewood), tree
branches, brush, yard trimmings, grass clippings and other residues,
paper, rags, cardboard, excelsior, rubber, plastic, wire, tin and
metal items, discarded household goods or appliances, junk lawn mowers,
tar paper, residues from burning or any similar materials which constitute
health, fire or safety hazards of a serious blighting influence upon
their neighborhood or the Village of Richfield in general.
A condition of decay or partial ruin caused by neglect, use,
effects of elements, damage, lack of maintenance, misuse, or any other
cause.
One or more rooms arranged for the use of one or more individuals
living together as a single housekeeping unit with cooking, living,
sanitary and sleeping facilities.
Material that cannot be burned.
As defined by § 66.0407, Wis. Stats.
An individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership.
Lot, plot or parcel of land, including the buildings or structures
thereon or any part thereof.
Debris as heretofore defined.
Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage,
and the term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coal,
coke and other combustible materials, paper, rags, cartons, boxes,
wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard clippings, tin
cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery and dust and other similar
materials.
The condition of being reasonably free from danger or hazard
capable of causing an accident or disease.
No owner or occupant shall occupy or let to or permit another
person to occupy any dwelling unit or premises that is in violation
of the terms of this chapter.
No owner or occupant shall allow or permit any building or structure,
whether dwelling or nondwelling or accessory, on his property to remain
in or deteriorate to a condition that is not in accord with the following
provisions:
A.
Exterior walls and foundations.
(1)
An exterior wall shall be free of holes, breaks, loose or rotting
boards or timbers, and any other conditions that might admit rain
or dampness to the interior portions of the walls, or to the occupied
spaces of the building.
(2)
Foundations and exterior walls shall be weathertight and rodent proof.
The foundation elements shall adequately support the building at all
points.
B.
Roofs and drainage.
C.
Porches, railings, stairways, decks and patios. Outside stairs, porches,
decks, patios and other appurtenances attached thereto shall be so
constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting loads to
which they are subjected as required by the Building Code.
D.
Doors, windows and basement hatchways.
(1)
Windows, screens, exterior doors and basement hatchways shall close
tight. A sash shall be fully supplied with glass window panes or any
approved substitute which is without open cracks or holes. A window
sash shall fit securely within its frame.
(2)
Exterior doors, when closed, shall be free of holes, breaks, loose
or rotting boards or timbers, and any other conditions which might
admit rain, snow or dampness to the interior portions of the building,
or to the occupied spaces of the building.
E.
Paint and other preservatives. A building or structure, the exterior
surface of which has been painted or other preservatives applied,
shall be repainted, resurfaced or otherwise treated in a workmanlike
manner when its condition is degraded to the point that more than
50% of the exterior surface of the building is peeling, chipping,
flaking, cracking, dusting or in an otherwise deteriorated condition.
F.
Fence and retaining wall requirements.
(1)
Fences shall be properly maintained so as to avoid creating a health
or safety hazard. If paint or other preservatives have been applied
to the exterior surface, it shall be repainted or resurfaced or otherwise
treated in a workmanlike manner when its condition is degraded to
the point that more than 50% of the exterior surface of the fence
is peeling, chipping, flaking, or in an otherwise deteriorated condition.
(2)
Retaining walls shall be structurally sound. No retaining walls shall
be constructed or maintained in such a manner as to cause an unsafe
condition or the repeated spillage of mud, gravel or debris upon any
public sidewalk, street or adjoining property.
G.
Exterior area requirements. No owner or occupant shall allow or permit
exterior areas of his property to remain in a condition that is not
in accord with the following provisions:
(1)
All exterior areas of any premises shall be kept in a clean and sanitary
condition, free from any accumulation of combustible or noncombustible
material, debris and refuse or any similar material which could or
may cause fire, safety or health hazards or a serious blight upon
surrounding properties.
(2)
Driveways, concrete, asphalt, bricked, graveled, stoned or similarly
treated areas shall be kept in sound condition so as to avoid conditions
resulting in dust, dirt, loose stones or other aggregate being repeatedly
deposited upon the adjacent public or private property.
(3)
Exterior areas in a natural state shall be kept free of debris and
noxious weeds.
(4)
Whenever erosion of the soil repeatedly causes the same to spill
over onto the sidewalk, street or adjoining property, the condition
shall be corrected by the construction of a suitable retaining wall,
grading or sodding and/or planting of grass or other suitable ground
cover.
(5)
Lawn, grass or weeds on a lot or other parcel of land which exceed eight inches in length shall be declared a public nuisance, except for property located in a designated wetland or conservancy zoned area, or where grasses are part of a landscaping area. In such case, the Building Inspector may, after prior written notice pursuant to § 286-10, Notice of violation, to the owner or occupant, direct the remedy of such violation. Such remedy shall be deemed a specific benefit to such premises, and the cost of same shall be charged against the owner of the premises. If the cost is not paid within 60 days of written notice from the Village of the total costs of the remedy, it shall be levied as a special charge against the premises as authorized under § 66.0627, Wis. Stats., as amended.[1]
A.
Whenever the Building Inspector shall, upon inspection of any vacated
building within the Village of Richfield, find that the building is
in danger of vandalism or neglect, the Inspector shall order the owner
thereof to make the building secure against vandalism and/or dilapidation
in a workmanlike manner.
B.
No vacated building for which the owner has been given an order for
compliance with this chapter shall be occupied before an occupancy
permit has been issued by the Building Inspector. Such occupancy permit
may be issued only upon compliance with all orders and requirements
of the Village of Richfield and the payment of the required fees and
the cost of reinspection and any expenses incurred by the Village
of Richfield in the enforcement of this chapter.
The Building Inspector shall enforce the provisions of this
chapter and is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections
in response to a complaint of an alleged violation of this chapter.
A.
Subject to Subsection B below, whenever the Building Inspector determines that any premises, dwelling, dwelling unit or other building or structure, or other exterior area fails to meet the requirements as set forth in this chapter, he shall issue a notice, in writing, and shall send such notice via first-class mail, setting forth the alleged failure or violations and advising the owner, occupant or agent that such failures or violations must be corrected. The notice shall specify a specific date for the correction of the violation. After said specified date, the Building Inspector shall reinspect for compliance and enforcement purposes.
B.
Health and safety hazards. If the Building Inspector finds that a
violation of this chapter creates a hazard as to endanger the health,
safety or welfare of the public, the Building Inspector may direct
the remedy of such violation. Such remedy shall be deemed a specific
benefit to such premises, and the cost of same shall be charged against
the owner of the premises. If the cost is not paid within 60 days
of written notice from the Village of the total costs of the remedy,
it shall be levied as a special charge against the premises as authorized
under § 66.0627, Wis. Stats., as amended.
Any person aggrieved by an order of the Building Inspector may,
within 30 days from the date of receipt of such an order, appeal to
the Board of Appeals of the Village of Richfield by submitting a written
petition requesting a review and by delivering the petition to the
Village Clerk. Jurisdiction over such appeals is herewith granted
to such Board of Appeals. Such appeals shall be made and shall be
governed by the provisions of law and fees for appeals to the Board
of Appeals under the Zoning Code.
A.
Issuance of citation.
(1)
A law enforcement officer may issue citations authorized under this
chapter.
