[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cazenovia at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Brush, grass and weeds — See Ch. 67.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 152.
This chapter shall be known as the "Building and Property Maintenance Law" of the Village of Cazenovia. The Village of Cazenovia is hereinafter referred to as the "Village."
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Village Board of Trustees of the Village to prevent unhealthy, hazardous, unsightly or dangerous conditions resulting from the deterioration of building and property structures.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
OWNER
The owner of the real property(ies) or occupant or manager of leased property or any person having the care or control of any building or property on which nonconforming maintenance conditions exist.
STRUCTURES
Includes accessory structures.
SUBSTANTIAL DETERIORATION
A status of either general dilapidation or specific instances of disrepair, including but not limited to substantial conditions of peeling, chipping, cracking, splintering, fading, warping, crumbling, rusting, corroding, rotting or perforation.
Residential, commercial, storage and industrial buildings and property, whether occupied or vacant, and accessory structures shall be maintained in conformance with the provisions of this chapter so as to assure the desirable character of the property, and its effect on surrounding areas.
A. 
Surface and subsurface water shall be appropriately drained to protect buildings and structures and to prevent the development of stagnant ponds.
B. 
All drainage water from roof surfaces of building structures shall be properly drained into a storm sewer, or by an alternate method approved by the Public Works Administrator. No building or structures shall discharge roof drainage on sidewalks, stairs or neighboring property.
C. 
Fences and other minor structures shall be maintained in good repair and in a safe condition.
D. 
Steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas shall be maintained so as to afford safe passage under normal use and weather conditions.
E. 
Yards, courts and vacant lots shall be kept clean and free of physical hazards, rodent harborage and infestation.
A. 
General maintenance. Surfaces, including but not limited to foundations, roofs, floors, walls, ceilings, doors, windows and fixtures of buildings and structures, shall be maintained:
(1) 
In a clean, safe and sanitary manner; and
(2) 
Free of substantial deterioration.
B. 
Exterior surfaces.
(1) 
Periodic treatment. Exterior surfaces of buildings and structures that are not inherently resistant to substantial deterioration shall be periodically treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative when necessary.
(2) 
Conformity. Materials used for repair of exterior surfaces of buildings and structures, including but not limited to foundations, roofs, walls, windows, doors, stairs, columns and chimneys, shall be of like nature, grade and quality as the existing surfaces.
A. 
Grounds, buildings and structures shall be maintained free of insects, vermin and rodent harborage and infestation. Methods used for exterminating insects, vermin and rodents shall conform to generally accepted practices.
B. 
Where the potential for rodent or vermin infestation exists, windows and other openings in basements, crawl spaces and cellars used for ventilation shall be appropriately screened with wire mesh or other suitable materials.
If the provisions of the foregoing sections are not complied with, the Village Zoning Enforcement Officer shall serve written notice, either personally or by mail, upon the owner, lessee or occupant or any person having the care or control of any such building structure. If the person upon whom the notice is served fails, neglects or refuses to correct the nonconforming condition(s) within 30 days after receipt of such notice or if no person can be found in the Village who either represents or claims to represent such owner, the Village Zoning Enforcement Officer may, following approval of the Board of Trustees, cause such nonconforming condition(s) to be corrected, and the actual cost in connection therewith shall be certified by the Zoning Enforcement Officer and such cost shall be added to and become and form part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such lot or land and shall bear interest at the same rate as taxes and shall be collected and enforced by the same officers and in the same manner as taxes.
Any person committing an offense against any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine of not more than $250 or by imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or both. Each day of continued violation shall constitute a separate, additional violation.
In the event of a dispute regarding the enforcement of this chapter, the owner may file an appeal with the Zoning Board of Appeals within 30 days of the date the dispute arises.