[Adopted 9-19-2005 by L.L. No. 7-2005]
The Town Board of the Town of Amherst finds that:
A. 
The improper storage and disposal of accumulated rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal, garbage and food set out for animals have created conditions leading to an increase in the number of rodents in the Town.
B. 
The number of rodents in the Town creates a risk to the health, safety, and comfort of residents of the Town of Amherst.
This article is enacted for the following purposes:
A. 
To preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the public as well as the environmental quality of the Town of Amherst by reducing the number of rodents in the Town.
B. 
To require the storage of rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal, tires, animal feed, and other materials in a manner that reduces the available habitat and food sources for rodents in the Town.
A. 
Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall store and dispose of accumulated rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal, tires or any other materials in such a manner as to prevent rodent harboring in or about the dwelling unit. Materials shall be stacked neatly in piles elevated to a level high enough to permit effective cleaning.
B. 
Every owner of a dwelling containing two or more dwelling units shall supply facilities or make provisions for the storage and disposal of accumulated rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal or any other materials in such a manner as to prevent rodent harborage in or about the shared or public areas of a dwelling or its premises. Material shall be stacked neatly in piles elevated at a level high enough to permit effective cleaning.
C. 
No owner or occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall store, place, or allow to accumulate any materials that may serve as food or harborage for rodents in a site accessible to rodents.
D. 
Storage containers used for solid waste services shall be kept secure and closed at all times. Areas for storage shall be kept free and clear of any and all accumulation that is not properly secured. At no time may any garbage or trash be stored outside in plastic bags or other non-rodent-proof containers.
E. 
No person shall feed in the open any domestic or wild fowl, birds or animals except in such manner so as to prevent scattering of feed or seed upon the ground or ground level which can or will provide food for rodents, insects, vermin or other pests.
F. 
Owners of commercial, business establishments must have a rodent control program in effect which provides for abatement and control of rodents by a licensed exterminator.
G. 
Prior to the issuance of a demolition permit, the applicant for the permit must establish that a licensed exterminator has completed rodent abatement at the site or certify that the property is free from rodents or other vermin.
A. 
The Town of Amherst Refuse Control Office and such other person as may be designated by resolution of the Town Board of the Town of Amherst are hereby authorized and directed to enforce the article.
B. 
The refuse officers and such other persons as may be designated by resolution of the Town Board are hereby authorized to issue and serve appearance tickets and/or violation summons with respect to violation of this article.
If any section, sentence or part of this article is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this article.