[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Neillsville as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted as Title 9, Ch. 7, of the 1985 Code]
A. 
It is hereby found and declared that premises exist within the City of Neillsville which are blighted because there exist thereon blighted buildings or structures either due to faulty design or construction, or to failure to maintain them in a proper state of repair, or to improper management, or due to the accumulation thereon of junk, wood, brick, cement block, or other unsightly debris, refrigerators, furnaces, appliances, machinery or parts thereof, structurally unsound fences, and other such items which tend to depreciate property values and to jeopardize or be detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the people of the City.
B. 
It is hereby further found and declared that such blighted premises, buildings or structures contribute to the development of, or increase in, disease, infant mortality, crime and juvenile delinquency; that conditions existing on such blighted premises are dangerous to the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the people; that conditions existing on such blighted premises necessitate excessive and disproportionate expenditure of public funds for public health, public safety, crime prevention, fire protection, and other public services; that the conditions existing on such blighted premises cause a drain upon public revenue and impair the efficient and economical exercise of governmental functions in such areas.
C. 
It is hereby further found and declared that the elimination of blighted premises and the prevention of occurrence of blighted premises in the future is in the best interests of the citizens of this City and that the accomplishment of this end will be fostered and encouraged by the enactment and enforcement of this article. It is hereby declared to be essential to the public interest and it is intended that this article be liberally construed to effectuate the purpose heretofore stated.
The following definitions shall only apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this article:
DWELLING
Any building or structure which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used for living or sleeping by human occupants and includes any appurtenances thereto.
DWELLING UNIT
Any habitable room or group of adjoining habitable rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single unit, with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking, and eating of meals.
EXTERMINATION
The control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating their harborage places; by removing or making inaccessible materials that may serve as their food; by poisoning, spraying, fumigating, trapping or any other approved pest control methods.
NUISANCE
Shall be defined as follows:
A. 
Any public nuisance known in common law or in equity jurisprudence.
B. 
Any attractive nuisance which may prove detrimental to children, whether in a building or upon an unoccupied lot. This includes any abandoned wells, shafts, basements and excavations; or any abandoned refrigerators, furnaces, machinery or parts thereof, structurally unsound fences and structures; or any lumber, trash, fences, debris or vegetation which may prove a hazard for inquisitive minors.
C. 
Whatever is dangerous to human life or is detrimental to health.
D. 
Dwelling or nondwelling structures that tend to depreciate property values and jeopardize or be detrimental to the health, safety, morals or welfare of the people of the City due to faulty design or construction or failure to maintain them in a proper state of repair or improper management.
OCCUPANT
Any person living, sleeping or eating, or having actual possession of a dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit.
OPERATOR
Any person who has charge, care or control of a building or part thereof in which dwelling or rooming units are let.
OWNER
Any person who alone or jointly or severally with others shall be the legally recorded holder of the title with or without actual possession thereof, or who has charge, care or control of any dwelling or dwelling unit as agent or owner, or as executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of the estate of the owner. The term "owner" under this article shall also include the legally recorded holder of a land contract vendee interest.
PERSON
Shall mean and include any individual, firm corporation, partnership or association.
PREMISES
Any lot, plot or parcel of land either occupied or unoccupied by any dwelling or nondwelling structure.
A. 
The responsibilities of the occupants are as follows:
(1) 
To keep the exterior of the dwelling and nondwelling structures and premises he/she controls and occupies in a clean and sanitary condition.
(2) 
To dispose of rubbish and garbage in a clean and sanitary manner as prescribed by this Code.
(3) 
To exterminate in the following cases:
(a) 
The occupant of a single dwelling is responsible for extermination of any insects, rodents or other pests therein or on premises.
(b) 
The occupant of a dwelling unit in a multiple-unit structure is responsible for extermination of any insects, rodents, or other pests if his/her unit is the only unit infested.
B. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, whenever infestation is caused by the failure of the owner to maintain the dwelling in a rat-proof or reasonably insect-proof condition, the occupant is not responsible for extermination of any insects, rodents, or other pests therein.
A. 
The responsibilities of the owners are as follows.
(1) 
To exterminate in the following cases:
(a) 
When infestation exists in two or more units of a multiple-unit structure.
(b) 
When infestation exists in shared or public areas of a multiple-unit structure.
(c) 
When infestation exists in a single unit of a multiple-unit structure or in a single-unit structure when infestation is due to failure of the owner to maintain the dwelling in a rat-proof and reasonably insect-proof condition.
(2) 
To perform the responsibilities of the occupant when premises are vacant.
(3) 
In addition to the above, no owner shall permit any premises to exist or any dwelling or nondwelling structure or fence to exist on any premises which does not comply with the following requirements:
(a) 
Maintenance of structures. Every foundation, exterior wall, roof, window, exterior door, basement hatchway, and every other entranceway of every dwelling or nondwelling structure shall be so maintained as to prevent the structure from becoming a harborage for rats and shall be kept in a reasonably good state of maintenance and repair.
(b) 
Protection of exterior wood surfaces. All exterior wood surfaces of all dwelling or nondwelling structures shall be properly protected from the elements and against decay by paint or other approved protective coating applied in a workmanlike manner.
(c) 
Maintenance of fences. Every fence shall be kept in a reasonably good state of maintenance and repair or shall be removed.
(d) 
Pest control. Every premises shall be so maintained as to prevent the premises from becoming a harborage for rats and insect pests. Whenever infestation with rodents or pests exists in any premises upon which no structure or nondwelling structures are located, extermination thereof shall be the responsibility of the owner.
B. 
General cleanliness. The accumulation or storage of junk, wood, brick, cement block or other unsightly debris, old automobiles or parts thereof, trucks, tractors, refrigerators, furnaces, washing machines, stoves, machinery or parts thereof, such as may tend to depreciate property values in the area or to create a nuisance or hazard, shall not be allowed on any lot or parcel of land within the corporate limits of the City of Neillsville, except as may be allowed by permit approved by the Common Council or except when such materials are properly housed and out of view.
When the Building Inspector, Health Officer and/or Fire Inspector determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a violation of any provision which affects the safety of any occupants or the safety of the general public, he/she shall give notice of such alleged violation to the person or persons responsible therefor and to any known agent of such persons, as hereinafter provided. Such notice shall:
A. 
Be put in writing.
B. 
Include a statement of the reasons why it is being issued.
C. 
Allow a reasonable time for the performance of any act it requires.
D. 
Be served upon the owner or his/her agent or the occupant, as the case may require, provided that such notice shall be deemed to be properly served upon such owner or agent or upon such occupant if a copy thereof is served upon him/her personally, or if a copy thereof is sent by registered mail to his/her last known address, or if a copy thereof is posted in a conspicuous place in or about the premises affected by the notice, or if he/she is served with such notice by any other method authorized or required under the laws of this state.
E. 
Such notice must contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions of this article.
[Adopted as Sec. 8-4-8 of the 1985 Code]
A. 
Storage of automobiles restricted.
(1) 
No disassembled, inoperable, unlicensed, junked or wrecked motor vehicles, truck bodies, tractors, trailers or appliances shall be stored or allowed to remain in the open upon private property within the City for a period exceeding 20 days unless it is in connection with a properly licensed automotive or appliance sales, repair or storage business enterprise located in a properly zoned area.
(2) 
Any business engaged in automotive sales or repair may retain such vehicles in the open, on private property, for a period not to exceed three months, after which such vehicles must be enclosed by a screening or live planting to be approved by the Plan Commission.
B. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DISASSEMBLED, INOPERABLE, JUNKED OR WRECKED MOTOR VEHICLES, TRUCK BODIES, TRACTORS, TRAILERS
Motor vehicles, truck bodies, tractors, or trailers in such state of physical or mechanical ruin as to be incapable of propulsion or being operated upon the public streets or highways.
INOPERABLE APPLIANCE
Any stove, washer or refrigerator which is no longer operable in the sense for which it was manufactured.
MOTOR VEHICLE
As defined in § 340.01(35), Wis. Stats.
UNLICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES, TRUCK BODIES, TRACTORS OR TRAILERS
Motor vehicles, truck bodies, tractors or trailers which do not bear lawful current license plates.
C. 
Exceptions. This section shall not apply to any motor vehicle or motor vehicle accessories stored within an enclosed building or on the premises of a business enterprise operated in a lawful place and manner when necessary to the operation of such business enterprise, in a storage place or depository maintained in a lawful place and manner, or seasonal use vehicles such as snowmobiles, motorcycles, motor scooters and nonmotorized campers, provided such vehicles are stored in rear yard areas. Such business enterprises shall include auto junkyards, auto repair and body shops, but shall not include automobile service stations or tire, battery and accessory sales stores, except those service stations which operate a duly licensed wrecker service. Also excepted are motor vehicles registered pursuant to §§ 341.265 and 341.266, Wis. Stats. In other situations the Chief of Police may issue permits permitting an extension of not to exceed an additional 30 days time to comply with this section where exceptional facts and circumstances warrant such extension.
D. 
Enforcement.
(1) 
Whenever the Police Department shall find any vehicles or appliances, as described herein, placed or stored in the open upon private property within the City, they shall notify the owner of said property on which said vehicle or appliance is stored of the violation of this section. If said vehicle or appliance is not removed within five days, the Police Department shall cause to be issued a citation to the property owner or tenant of the property upon which said vehicle or appliance is stored.
(2) 
If such vehicle or appliance is not removed within 20 days after issuance of a citation, the Chief of Police shall cause the vehicle or appliance to be removed and impounded and it shall thereafter be disposed of as prescribed in §§ 402-3 through 402-6 by the Chief of Police or his/her duly authorized representative. Any cost incurred in the removal and sale of said vehicle or appliance shall be recovered from the owner. However, if the owner of the vehicle or appliance cannot readily be found, the cost of such removal shall be charged to the property from which it is removed, which charges shall be entered as a special charge on the tax roll.
E. 
Penalty. Any person who shall interfere with the enforcement of any of the provisions of this section and shall be found guilty thereof shall be subject to a penalty as provided in § 1-5. Each motor vehicle or appliance involved shall constitute a separate offense.