§ 16-208. Determination; definitions.

(a)

Purpose. It is determined that the unregulated storage or accumulation on private property of junk, rubbish or trash, garbage, building materials, abandoned or inoperable vehicles or the dismantling of vehicles or machinery on private property is detrimental to the general welfare of the public. Such practices cause or contribute to the deterioration of neighborhoods and promote neighborhood blight. Such practices also result in the reduction of the value, merchantability and maximum use and development of other properties in proximity thereto and are aesthetically offensive to the owners or occupants of other properties and to the city at large. Further, certain of such practices are hazardous to the public health and safety in that they create harborage for vermin and other pests, cause or contribute to the spread of diseases and constitute fire hazards. Public good requires that such practices be prohibited.

(b)

Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Building materials means materials or remnants of materials used in the construction, improvement, renovation or demolition of buildings or structures, including but not limited to lumber, plywood, metal, stone or brick, glass, wiring, or other electrical materials or equipment, heating or air conditioning components or equipment, plumbing fixtures or equipment, shingles or other roofing materials, mortar, concrete, cement or plastics.

Code enforcement officer means an employee of the city as described in section 1-16.

Garbage means organic refuse or food wastes in the form of animal, poultry, fish, fruit or vegetable wastes, resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking or consumption of foods, including animal, poultry or fish carcasses or parts thereof.

Junk means discarded materials of any kind, whether or not the materials could be put to any reasonable use, or materials which are incapable of performing the function for which they were manufactured or intended, including but not limited to parts of vehicles, machinery or parts of machines, broken or unusable furniture, furnishings, recreational equipment, stoves, air conditioners, refrigerators or other appliances or parts thereof.

Person means a natural person or any firm, copartnership, corporation, association of natural persons, incorporated or unincorporated, whether acting individually or by a servant, agent or employee. A person in violation of any of the provisions of this article, whether as owner or vendee of the premises or as an agent, servant or employee of an owner or vendee and any tenant or occupant of the premises shall be equally liable as principals, except as otherwise provided in this article.

Rubbish or trash means solid waste, consisting of either combustible or noncombustible materials, of the following types:

(1)

Ashes means the residue left from the burning of paper, leaves, wood, coal or other combustible materials.

(2)

Household means materials used or accumulated in the operation or maintenance of a household which are customarily discarded after use, including but not limited to newspapers, magazines, books, wrappings, cartons, boxes, crates, rags or sweepings or materials which are customarily discarded after becoming unusable due to wear or damage, such as clothing, bedding, floor coverings, wallpaper or articles of metal, plastic, cloth or leather.

(3)

Kitchen means food containers or wrappings, whether damaged or undamaged, including but not limited to cans, bottles, jars, glass crockery, bags, sacks or plastics, or paper, plastic, wood or metal cartons or boxes or other similar or like articles or materials.

(4)

Personal means articles or materials used for medical or hygienic purposes or for infant care.

(5)

Yard means the products of vegetation grown on a property or which are brought onto a property, including but not limited to grass clippings, weeds, leaves, plants, tree branches, clippings from shrubs, bushes or hedges or roots or stumps.

(Prior Code, § 9.41; Ord. No. 2006-08, 5-15-2006; Ord. No. 2018-05, § 3, 4-2-2018)