Note: Prior ordinance history: Ord. 301-00.
The purpose of this chapter is to prevent unsightly neighborhood nuisances, eliminate improper outdoor storage of materials, reduce fire hazards, and prohibit any unreasonable, non-permitted, or unlawful condition or use of property that is detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the public. The creating, causing or maintaining on any property within the corporate limits of the Town of any condition defined as a nuisance by any ordinance of the Town, section of this code, resolution of the Town Council, or statute of the State of California is unlawful.
(Ord. 418-13)
"Driveway"
means a private roadway connecting a public road to a house, garage, parking area, or any other portion of private property.
"Inoperative vehicle"
means any non-functioning vehicle that cannot be legally operated for any reason, including lack of current registration.
"Junk"
means any cast-off, damaged, discarded, junked, obsolete, salvage, scrapped, unusable, worn-out or wrecked object, thing or material.
"Junkyard"
means any premises on which any junk is abandoned, bailed, brought, bundled, deposited, disassembled, disposed, handled, kept, stored or transported, regardless of whether or not such activity is done for profit.
"Nuisance"
means any condition of real property that is hazardous, inappropriate, unsightly, endangers public health, safety, or welfare, and/or otherwise violates community standards by hindering achievement of the stated purpose of this chapter, including, but not limited to, creating or permitting the existence of any of the conditions described more thoroughly in this chapter.
"Portable storage container"
means a box-like container transported by truck to a desired location for drop off. The container is moved from the bed of the delivery truck to the ground and back using a hydraulic metal framework or similar device. Commonly accepted name for these storage containers is PODS, an acronym for portable on-demand storage. The maximum allowable size for this type of container in residential districts is 130 square feet with an overall length not to exceed 16 feet.
"Refuse"
means garbage, rubbish, and trash as well as all other matter and materials which are rejected by owners or producers as offensive and useless and which by their presence and accumulation may injuriously affect the health, comfort or safety of the community by increasing disease or hazard by fire.
"Storage"
means any item left in the same approximate location for a period of 72 or more consecutive hours.
"Vehicle"
means any device by which any person or property may be conveyed, including an automobile, recreational vehicle, trailer, motorcycle or boat.
"Weeds"
means any undesirable, self-rooting, self-propagating, and invasive plant. Vegetation planted for decorative purposes and under continuing cultivation is not considered a weed.
(Ord. 418-13; Ord. 15-437)
It shall be the responsibility of the owner, occupant, agent or person having charge of the property upon which or in front of which a nuisance exists, to abate the nuisance at such person's own expense whenever it exists.
(Ord. 418-13)
Conditions which shall constitute a public nuisance include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. 
Any condition that is in violation of any duly enacted ordinance of the Yountville Municipal Code, or resolution or lawful order promulgated by authorized Town officials.
B. 
Any condition in violation of Title 17 Zoning or Title 18 Design Standards of this code, including any condition imposed on any entitlement, permit, contract, or environmental document issued or approved by the Town.
C. 
The keeping, storing, depositing, scattering over or accumulation on the premises of any of the following items when visible from a public right-of-way:
1. 
Abandoned, discarded or unused objects or equipment such as furniture and furnishings, appliances, automotive parts, equipment, boxes, cans or containers, or similar material.
2. 
Discarded, wrecked or inoperable personal property, including, but not limited to, books, magazines, newspapers, papers, knickknacks, ornamental objects, clothing, or similar material.
3. 
Salvage, construction or packing materials, including, but not limited to, scrap metal, dirt, sand, gravel, concrete, tile, rocks, bricks, or similar material, except when associated with ongoing excavation, demolitions, construction, or landscaping operations on the same property.
4. 
Firewood when not stacked in an orderly manner or screened from view.
5. 
Abandoned, wrecked, disabled, dismantled or inoperative vehicles, except as permitted by Chapter 8.12 of this code.
6. 
The parking of vehicles, except as permitted by Chapters 8.12 and 17.88 of this code.
D. 
Accumulation of junk, refuse, and other materials that are detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of residents in the vicinity or the general public, whether visible from the right-of-way or not.
E. 
Any condition or maintenance of property which constitutes a junkyard.
F. 
Weeds in excess of 12 inches in height, excluding trees and shrubs and cultivated flowers and gardens; noxious plants; any plant that creates a fire hazard, when dry, to adjacent improved property; poison oak and poison ivy when the conditions of growth constitute a menace to the public health; dead, decayed, or diseased vegetation that creates a hazardous condition to pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic or that may cause a danger to public safety.
G. 
All dirt and vegetation that accumulate and obstruct the flow of water or interfere with public or private drainage system improvements.
H. 
Fences or walls that are in a hazardous condition or in a state of disrepair.
I. 
Polluted or stagnant water which because of its nature or location constitutes an unhealthy or unsafe condition.
J. 
Odors that are of such a persistent and elevated nature so as to unreasonably disturb, annoy, interfere with or endanger the comfort, peace, health, safety or welfare of neighboring residents of normal sensitivity.
K. 
The keeping of any animal that causes unsanitary or dangerous conditions; causes a disturbance by making excessive noise or producing noxious odor; or damages or soils private property other than property possessed or controlled by the animal owner.
L. 
Any condition that constitutes a fire hazard, as defined in the Uniform Fire Code.
M. 
Any condition of a building or portion thereof that constitutes a substandard building, as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3 or its successor.
N. 
Property that is maintained in such a condition as to be detrimental to the public health, safety, or general welfare.
O. 
Any of the following when located in the front yard, driveway, or side yard and visible from the public right-of-way in excess of 72 consecutive hours, or for more than two occasions in a calendar year: boxes, cargo containers, portable storage containers, containers, or dumpsters. Such storage shall not constitute a nuisance under the following conditions:
1. 
When engaged in connection with ongoing construction activity, pursuant to prior approval by the Town Manager or designee; or
2. 
When moving in or out of a property during a short-term period of 240 hours, pursuant to prior approval by the Town Manager or designee.
P. 
Any storage unit or shed in the front yard or in the side yard and visible from the public right-of-way unless previously approved.
Q. 
Any portable storage container, storage unit, or shed located in the public right-of-way without a Town issued encroachment permit.
(Ord. 418-13; Ord. 15-437)