This chapter shall be known as the "Property Maintenance Code."
Pursuant to its authority granted by the broad powers under
§§ 60.10(2)(c) and 60.22, Wis. Stats., and village
powers under 61.34, Wis. Stats., which confers the power to act for
the government and good order of the Town, for its commercial benefit
and for the health, safety, welfare and convenience of the public,
the Town Board has found that maintenance of buildings, structures
and premises in the Town of Grand Chute affects the health, safety,
and general welfare of the residents of the community. The general
purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum standards governing
the maintenance, appearance and condition of residential and nonresidential
premises and to set certain responsibilities and duties upon owners
and operators and distinct and separate responsibilities and duties
upon occupants. The Town recognizes that there may presently be or
in the future be structures, yards and vacant lots, or unimproved
areas, or any combination thereof, in the Town which are dilapidated,
unsafe, dangerous, unhygienic, or inadequately maintained so as to
constitute a threat to the health, safety, and general welfare of
the residents of the Town. The establishment and enforcement of minimum
property maintenance standards are necessary to preserve both private
and public interests, with the overall purpose being to benefit the
health, safety, welfare and convenience of the public.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply uniformly to all
land, buildings and structures and surrounding areas within the Town,
without regard to their class, date of construction, alteration or
repair.
The following words, terms and phrases, when referred to in
this chapter, shall have the respective meanings assigned to them,
except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
BLIGHT
An impaired condition leading to deterioration.
DEBRIS
Includes but is not limited to boxes, wood pallets, bottles,
broken concrete, bricks, blocks, porcelain and other glass, lumber,
posts, brush, tree branches, cardboard, rubber, discarded goods and
appliances, junk lawn mowers, residues from burning, or any similar
materials which constitute health, fire or safety hazards or serious
blighting influence upon the neighborhood or the Town in general.
DETERIORATION
The condition or appearance of a building or structure, or
part thereof, characterized by breaks, holes, rot, crumbling, cracking,
peeling, rusting, chipping, inadequate paint or other evidence of
decay, neglect, lack of maintenance or excessive use.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA
Any lands designated as floodway, floodplain or flood storage
area, and mapped wetland areas. Steep slopes equal to or greater than
a 3:1 ratio, designated outlots, and areas within 75 feet of the ordinary
high-water mark of any navigable stream are also included in this
category.
[Added 11-1-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-08]
GARBAGE
All waste animal, fish, fowl or vegetable matter incident
to and resulting from the use, preparation and storage of food for
human consumption.
GARDEN
A cultivated, well-defined area dedicated to growing vegetables,
fruits, and annual or perennial plants. Also referred to as "cultivated
flower bed."
[Added 11-1-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-08]
JUNK
Includes, without limitation, old or scrap metal, metal alloy,
synthetic or organic material or waste and junked, ruined, dismantled
or wrecked motorized or nonmotorized vehicles or machinery, or any
part thereof, whether salvageable or not. An unlicensed motorized
vehicle, at the discretion of local law enforcement officers, may
be construed to be a junk vehicle.
[Amended 2-4-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-03]
NATIVE PLANTS
Plants and grasses native to the state of Wisconsin.
[Added 11-1-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-08]
NATURAL LANDSCAPING
A planned, intentional and maintained area on a property
that may include native plants, ornamental grasses and groundcovers,
perennial plants, shrubs, trees, and rain gardens. No-mow grasses,
that are intended to grow to lengths up to 12 inches and mound over
as to not reach a height over six inches, are also included in this
category.
[Added 11-1-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-08]
OFFICER
Includes code enforcement officers, the Police Chief and
all police officers of the Town.
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES OR GROUNDCOVERS
Grasses and groundcovers not indigenous to the state of Wisconsin,
excluding turf grasses and noxious weeds.
[Added 11-1-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-08]
RANK GROWTH
Vigorous and profuse growth of turf grass, noxious weeds,
brush or other vegetation that exceeds eight inches in height. Exceptions
include gardens, cultivated flower beds, environmentally sensitive
areas, and natural landscaping.
[Added 11-1-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-08]
RUBBISH
Includes all waste materials except garbage, including but
not limited to solid waste consisting of both combustible and noncombustible
waste, such as paper, wrappings, cigarettes, cardboard, tin, cans,
yard clippings, leaves, wood, glass, bedding, and crockery as well
as other similar materials.
TURF GRASS
Any grass commonly used in groomed and maintained lawns or
play areas, including Bluegrass, Fescue and Rye Grass blends, or other
similar grasses.
[Added 11-1-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-08]
The owner of the premises shall maintain the structures and
exterior property in compliance with the requirements provided for
in this chapter. A person should not occupy as owner-occupant or permit
another person to occupy a premises which is not in a sanitary and
safe condition and which does not comply with the requirements of
this chapter.
All vacant structures and premises thereof and vacant land shall
be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided
herein so as not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect
the public health or safety.