City of Marion, WI Housing Standards and Property Maintenance

All courts, yards, or other areas on the premises shall be properly graded to divert water away from the building. Adjacent ground surface shall be sloped away from the structure with a grading of at least 1/2 inch per foot for a minimum of five feet where possible or by other means such as eaves, troughs and downspout extensions.

Yards shall not be graded or landscaped in such a manner to intentionally cause water to be diverted onto adjoining properties.

Water shall not be permitted to drain from paved driveways, paved parking areas, rooftops, eaves, troughs or downspouts onto adjoining properties.

(d)

Water from rooftops, eaves, troughs, downspouts, sump pumps or surface drainage shall not be diverted via direct connections to the municipal sanitary sewer system. Existing connections shall be severed, at the owner's expense and in accordance with this Code as of the date of the adoption of this article.

(2)

Weeds. All exterior property areas shall be kept free from noxious weeds as required by the City of Marion Code and Wisconsin Statutes. Where required weed and grass cutting is not performed by the property owner, the Department of Public Works, or designee, shall perform said weed cutting and process the charge therefor as a special charge against the benefitted property.

(3)

Debris. All exterior property areas shall be properly maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from debris, rubbish or garbage, physical hazards, rodent harborage and infestation, and animal feces. All animal feces shall be removed as required by this Code.

(4)

Fences, walks and parking areas. Fences, other minor constructions, walks, driveways, parking areas, and similar paved areas shall be properly maintained in a safe, sanitary and substantial condition. Approved walks shall provide convenient all-weather access to buildings.

(5)

Exterior surfaces. Exterior surfaces of buildings and structures not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative that will provide adequate resistance to weathering and maintain an attractive appearance. Any exterior surface treated with paint or other preservative shall be maintained to prevent chipping, cracking, or other deterioration of the exterior surface treatment and to present an attractive appearance. All paint or other preservative shall be applied in a competent fashion.

(6)

Yard areas. Yard areas of real estate shall not be permitted to deteriorate or remain in a condition that is not in accord with the following:

Yard areas shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, free from any accumulation of combustible or noncombustible materials, debris, or refuse. Orderly staked firewood consisting of unmilled and unsawed wood products in minimal quantities is permitted.

Yards shall not be used to store appliances, furnaces, hot-water heaters, water softeners, or building material not used within 10 days, or any unsightly bulk items.

Landscaping, plantings and other decorative surface treatments, including common species of grass, shall be installed if necessary and maintained to present an attractive appearance in all court and yard areas. Lawns shall be maintained to a height in compliance with this Code.

(d)

Plantings shall be maintained as not to present hazards to adjoining properties or to persons or vehicles traveling on public ways and shall be maintained so as to enhance the appearance and value of the property on which located, and thereby the appearance and value of the neighborhood and City. The City, after due notice to the property owner, will cause to be cut or trimmed nonconforming areas and place said cost as a special charge due against the property.

(7)

General requirements.

Every interior floor, wall, and ceiling, including door and window assemblies, shall be kept clean and in good repair and shall be capable of affording privacy. Any hazardous sagging or bulging shall be properly repaired to a level or plumb position. All surfaces shall be free from serious cracking, irregularities, and peeling paint. A waterproof and hard surface shall be provided in spaces subject to moisture. All surface repairs shall be completed to closely match the existing surface color and texture. Floor surfacing shall provide ease of maintenance and durability appropriate for the use of the room.

Every foundation, exterior wall, and floor and roof shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight and rodentproof, shall be kept in proper repair, and shall be capable of affording privacy. Any hazardous sagging or bulging shall be properly repaired to a level or plumb position. All chimneys and breaching shall be so constructed and maintained as to ensure that it safely and properly removes the products of combustion from the building and is not hazardous to the structure's occupants or the public.

Every gap allowing the accumulation of dirt or other objectionable matter in bathing, toilet, or food preparation areas shall be tightly sealed with an impervious and cleanable material.

(8)

Stairs. Every inside and outside stair, every porch, and every appurtenance thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon and shall be kept in proper condition and repair and shall present an attractive appearance. All interior and exterior stairs and steps and every appurtenance thereto shall comply with the requirements specified in § Comm. 21.04, Wis. Adm. Code, as dictated by the type of occupancy in the building.

(9)

Plumbing fixtures. Every plumbing fixture and water pipe shall be properly installed and maintained in good working condition, free from defects, leaks, and obstructions.

(10)

Bathrooms. Every water closet compartment floor surface and bathroom floor surface shall be properly constructed and maintained to be reasonably impervious to water and to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean, sanitary condition.

(11)

Supplied facilities.

Every supplied facility, piece of equipment, or utility shall be so constructed, installed, and maintained that it will function in a proper working condition.

The owner of any dwelling or apartment in which a cooking stove and/or refrigerator is furnished for the use of tenants as part of a rental agreement shall keep such cooking stove and/or refrigerator in good mechanical working condition.

It shall be the responsibility of the tenant to maintain supplied facilities in a clean and sanitary condition when contained within the tenant's dwelling unit.

(12)

Equipment removal restricted. No owner, operator, or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment, or utility which is required under this article to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling, dwelling unit, or lodging room let or occupied by him, except for such temporary interruption as may be necessary while actual repairs are in process, during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is approved by an authorized inspector, or as part of an eviction process that follows statutory, Administrative Code, or regulatory agency procedures.

(13)

Abandoned fuel oil tanks. All fuel oil tanks shall be removed from the building. All unused and abandoned underground fuel oil tanks shall be removed in accordance with regulatory agency orders.

(14)

Removal of debris.

No person shall dispose of rocks, trees, stumps, waste building material, or other debris from land development, building construction, street grading, or installation of underground utilities upon the surface of any land in the City, except at approved disposal sites.

No landowner shall allow an accumulation of rocks, trees, stumps, waste building material or other debris from land development, building construction, street grading, or installation of underground utilities upon the surface of his land for a period of more than 10 days.