[Adopted 2-8-1996 by Ord. No. 8-1996 (Art. 1743 of the 1979 Codified Ordinances)]
The front faces or buildings or structures used for commercial purposes shall conform with the following requirements:
A. 
All exposed architectural elements or appurtenances thereto, including facades and business signs, shall be maintained in good structural and decorative repair. All such elements or appurtenances exhibiting substantial conditions of deterioration including rusted finishes, peeling paint, accumulated grime, graffiti, bent, broken or distorted surfaces shall be considered in violation of the provisions of this subsection. For the purposes of this subsection "substantial conditions" shall be considered 20% or more of the surface area; except that any publicly visible graffiti shall be considered "substantial conditions" of deterioration.
B. 
All other unused and exposed elements, including wires, brackets and conduits, shall be removed.
C. 
Broken window glass shall be replaced.
D. 
All security devices designed to limit or block access to the front face of the buildings or structures used for commercial purposes shall allow for substantial visibility of the front face at all times. Solid shutters shall not be permitted. However, notwithstanding the above, any solid security device lawfully in existence on the effective date of this article and not in conformance with the provisions of this subsection can remain; however it shall not be replaced, repaired or altered in any substantial manner unless it be to comply with the design specifications of this subsection.
E. 
Nonconforming security devices lawfully in existence on the effective date of this article shall be painted in a single solid color and maintained graffiti free at all times.
F. 
Advertising shall be prohibited from being placed on all security shutters.
The Department of Public Safety shall have the power to:
A. 
Conduct investigations and determine compliance with the provisions of this article.
B. 
Make orders requiring compliance with the provisions of this article within 30 days of receipt of violation. Such orders shall be served personally, or by first class mail to the person, firm or corporation deemed by the Department to be violating the provisions of this article. If such person, firm or corporation is not the owner of the land or structure where the violation is deemed to exist or to have occurred, a copy of the order shall be sent by first class mail to the last registered owner of such land or structure and a copy thereof shall be posted on the premises. The date of mailing shall be deemed the date of service of any order sent by first class mail.
C. 
Institute any appropriate action or proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the unlawful repair or maintenance of any building or structure or to restrain, correct or abate any violation of this article. The imposition of any penalty hereunder shall not prevent the Department from instituting any appropriate action or proceeding to require compliance with the provisions of this article.
A. 
Any person aggrieved by any decision, notice or order of the Department of Public Safety may appeal to the Director of the Department.
B. 
Appeals to the Director shall be taken within 30 days of receipt of notification of the decision, notice or order of the Department and shall specify the grounds therefor.
C. 
An appeal to the Director shall stay all proceedings and furtherance of the action appealed from, except proceedings by the Department for the assessment of fines and/or penalties or for the abatement of a violation of the provisions of this article.
D. 
The Director may affirm, modify, reverse, vacate or revoke the decision, notice, or order from which an appeal was taken.
A. 
In addition to any other sanctions and/or remedial procedures provided, any person who violates any provisions of this article shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding, be fined not more than $300 and costs and, in default of payment thereof, shall be imprisoned for not more than 90 days.
B. 
Each week that any person shall fail or refuse to comply with the provisions of this article shall constitute a separate violation for which a separate fine may be imposed.