A.Â
It shall be the duty of the owner and/or occupant to keep the exterior
of the premises in good repair, structurally sound, sanitary and free
of nuisances so as not to pose a threat to public health, safety or
welfare which include but are not limited to the following:
(1)Â
Garbage and/or refuse. No owner and/or occupant shall place, deposit or permit to be deposited in an unsightly or unsanitary manner, upon public or private property within the City, any human or animal excrement, garbage, rubbish, waste material, bulk items or other objectionable waste, as those terms are defined by Chapter 241, Solid Waste, Article I, Collection of Refuse, Recyclables and Other Waste Materials.
(2)Â
Every owner, operator and/or occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit located in the City of Cortland shall store and dispose of all garbage, rubbish, waste material or bulk items, as those terms are defined by Chapter 241, Solid Waste, Article I, Collection of Refuse, Recyclables and Other Waste Materials, § 241-1, or any other organic waste which might provide food for rodents or attract insects in a sightly and sanitary manner by placing it in a watertight container, except for compost bins as specified by the City. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of such dwelling or dwelling units to provide for or supply such storage facilities or containers.
(3)Â
Natural growth, such as dead and dying or storm-damaged trees and
limbs or other growth that, by reason of its condition or nature,
constitutes a hazard to persons lawfully in the vicinity. Trees shall
be kept pruned and trimmed to prevent such conditions. Owners of unoccupied
premises must keep them free of nuisances.
(4)Â
No owner or occupant of any lot, yard or place within the City shall
permit at any time any growth of grass, weeds or other uncultivated
vegetation upon the premises owned or occupied as shall constitute
a health and/or fire hazard by reason of being readily flammable.
Every owner or occupant of any lot, yard or place within the City
is required to cut and remove therefrom all grass, weeds or other
uncultivated vegetation located thereon which reaches six inches of
growth.
(5)Â
Overhanging objects and accumulations of ice and/or snow that, by
reason of their location above ground level, constitute a danger of
falling on persons within reasonable proximity.
(6)Â
Ground surface hazards, such as holes, excavations, breaks and projections,
on residential premises within five feet of an unfenced property line
or on any part of a nonresidential premises to which the public has
lawful access.
(7)Â
Sources of infestation, including all environments and conditions
conducive to the increase or spread of vermin.
(8)Â
The exterior surfaces of all buildings and structures, including
but not limited to doors, door and window frames, stairways (attached
or detached), porches, trim, balconies, decks and fences, shall be
maintained in good condition. Exterior wood surfaces, other than decay-resistant
woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by painting
or other protective covering or treatment. Peeling, flaking and chipped
paint shall be eliminated and surfaces repainted. All siding and masonry
joints as well as those between the building envelop and the perimeter
of windows, doors and skylights shall be maintained weather-resistant
and watertight. All metal surfaces subject to rust or corrosion shall
be stabilized and coated to inhibit such rust and corrosion. Oxidation
stains shall be removed from exterior surfaces. Surfaces designed
to stabilize by oxidation are exempt from this requirement.
(9)Â
It shall also be prohibited to store or accumulate garbage, rubbish,
waste material or bulk items in any front yard or front porch when
visible from any public place, street or sidewalk. Nothing contained
herein shall prohibit the storage of garbage, rubbish, waste material
or bulk items in any garage or accessory structure. Any such garage
or accessory structure used for storage of garbage, rubbish, waste
material or bulk items shall be secure and provide for resistance
to rodent or insect infestation.
B.Â
It shall be the duty of the owner and/or occupant to keep and maintain
the exterior of the premises and structures, including but not limited
to the following standards:
(1)Â
Storage of commercial and industrial material. There shall not be stored or used, at a location exposed to public view, equipment and materials relating to commercial or industrial uses, unless permitted under Chapter 300, Zoning.
(2)Â
Landscaping. Premises shall be kept from becoming overgrown and/or
unsightly. Vegetation along the public right-of-way shall be kept
from becoming a hazard to pedestrians and motorists.
(3)Â
General maintenance. The exterior of every structure shall be maintained
in good repair for purposes of preservation and appearance and free
of conditions reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance,
including but not limited to broken glass, excessively peeling or
deteriorated paint, loose shingles and crumbling stone, brick, mortar,
or cement.
(4)Â
Front yard parking; commercial vehicle parking.
(a)Â
No person shall park any registered motor vehicle, house coach,
vehicle (draw-behind) or boat in any front yard area except on driveways
constructed and installed in compliance with City ordinances, and
no driveway shall be wider than 35% of the front yard width of any
property. Nor should they extend into the public right away, including
the sidewalk.
(b)Â
In any residential zone, except as provided herein, no person
shall use the property for the parking of commercial vehicles. It
shall be unlawful for any person to use property in a residential
zone for the parking of commercial vehicles except if such commercial
vehicles are temporarily parked on business calls to subject property
or if any such commercial vehicle is parked in an enclosed garage.
(5)Â
Upholstered furniture or mattresses.
(a)Â
The use of any upholstered furniture manufactured primarily
for interior use, including mattresses, shall be prohibited on any
front or side yard.
(6)Â
Use of storage.
