(1) 
Definitions. For the purposes of sections 5.000 through 5.018 and 5.600 through 5.642, the following mean:
Enforcing Officer.
The city manager, officer of the city or their designee.
Nuisance.
A condition that unreasonably interferes with the common right of public to use and enjoyment of property, including public health nuisances; attractive nuisances; dangerous, abandoned or derelict structures; inoperable vehicles and automobile wrecking as provided in section 5.000 through 5.004, and all other conditions identified as a nuisance under the provisions of this code.
Occupancy.
The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be used.
Occupant.
Any person living or sleeping in a building; or having possession of a space within a building or premises.
Owner.
Any legal owner or any person having charge, care or control of a premises.
Person in Charge of Property.
An agent, occupant, lessee, tenant, contract purchaser, or other person having possession or control of property or the supervision of any construction project.
Person.
Any individual or entity.
Premises.
An area of land including any structures on the land.
Public Facilities.
Infrastructure and spaces that are owned, operated, or maintained by the city or other public entities for the benefit of the community.
Vermin.
Any animals detrimental to humans or human concerns including, but not limited to, insects and rats or other rodents.
(2) 
Person Responsible. The person responsible for abating a nuisance includes:
(a) 
The owner of record.
(b) 
The person in charge of property as defined above.
(c) 
The person who caused a nuisance to come into or continue in existence.
(3) 
Nuisances Prohibited. No person responsible for public or private property shall cause or permit a nuisance. Causing, or permitting, or failing to abate a nuisance constitutes an offense under this code.
(Ord. No. 6494, 4/21/2025)
Nuisances affecting the public health include:
(1) 
Garbage and Refuse. An accumulation of garbage, debris, rubbish, junk or other refuse that is not removed within a reasonable time and that affects the health or livability of adjacent residents. All such garbage and refuse shall be managed in accordance with the following:
(a) 
All household waste shall be stored in leakproof containers with close-fitting covers.
(b) 
Every person who generates or produces garbage and refuse shall remove or have removed all putrescent wastes at least every seven days. More frequent removal may be required to protect the public health. Provided, however, this subsection does not apply to garbage and refuse removed through a city-approved removal program that is less frequent than seven days.
(2) 
Stagnant Water. An accumulation of stagnant or impure water which affords or might afford a breeding place for mosquitoes or other insects.
(3) 
Water Pollution. Pollution of a body of water, well, spring, stream or drainage ditch by sewage, industrial wastes, or other substances placed in or near the water in a manner that will cause harmful material to pollute the water.
(4) 
Offensive Drainage. Drainage of liquid wastes from private premises.
(5) 
Conditions Attracting Vermin. Conditions that allow, attract, or are likely to attract, feed, or harbor vermin.
(6) 
Odors. Premises in such a state or condition as to cause an offensive odor or in an unsanitary condition.
(7) 
Privies, etc. A privy, vault, cesspool, septic tank or drain which emits a noisome and offensive smell, or which is prejudicial to public health.
(8) 
Vegetation. Any vegetation on public or private property that:
(a) 
Is a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular use of a sidewalk or street by obstructing free passage or vision, including, but are not limited to, vegetation that encroaches upon or overhangs a sidewalk or adjacent curb strip, and vegetation that obstructs the view of traffic, traffic signs and signals, streetlights and signs, or other safety fixtures or markings located in the public way.
(b) 
Is an obstruction of access to and use of any public facilities.
(c) 
Is an obstruction to the free functioning of drainage facilities in the public way, including, but not limited to, roadside ditches, street curbs and gutters, catch basins and culverts.
(9) 
Sidewalk Accumulation. An accumulation of leaves, snow, ice, rubbish and other litter or any other obstruction upon or of a sidewalk.
(10) 
Sidewalks. Sidewalks fronting on a property that are in disrepair or otherwise in violation of applicable city sidewalk design standards.
(11) 
Structure Interiors. Failing to maintain the interior of a structure in a clean and sanitary condition and free from any accumulation of debris, rubbish, or garbage so as not to breed insects and rodents; produce dangerous or offensives gases, odors and bacteria, or create other unsanitary conditions; or create a fire hazard.
(12) 
Other Nuisances. Any other thing, substance, condition, or activity prohibited by state law, common law, this code, other ordinances, or which is determined by the council to be injurious or detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare of the city.
(Ord. No. 6494, 4/21/2025)
(1) 
Attractive nuisances include:
(a) 
Machinery, equipment, or other devices that are dangerous, accessible, and pose a reasonable risk of injury to children.
(b) 
Lumber, logs, pilings, or materials placed or stored in a manner so as to be dangerous, accessible and pose a reasonable risk of injury to children.
(c) 
An excavation that remains open for an unreasonable length of time without adequate barriers.
(d) 
A cistern, well, or any other similar type of hole that is dangerous, accessible, and poses a reasonable risk of injury to children.
(e) 
An abandoned refrigerator or other appliance with an air-tight door that has a space large enough that a child or infant may be enclosed.
(f) 
Off-street vehicle parking between the street and primary building, except for approved or permitted driveways and parking lots.
(g) 
Storage or parking of vehicles in a residential zone which require a commercial license to operate.
(2) 
This section does not apply to permitted construction projects with reasonable safeguards to prevent injury or death to children.
(Ord. No. 6494, 4/21/2025)
(1) 
Definitions. The definitions in the State Structural, Plumbing, Electrical and Mechanical Codes apply to terms not defined in this section. The words dwelling unit, dwelling, premises, structure, or building shall be construed as though they were followed by the words "or any part thereof." For the purpose of this section, the following shall mean:
Abandoned Structure.
A structure that has been left vacant for a significant period of time, showing no signs of active use or occupancy, and is considered to be in a state of disrepair or posing a potential hazard to the public due to its condition,
Partially Constructed.
A structure that has been left in a state of partial construction for more than six months or after the expiration of any building permit or that has not had a required permit inspection within any six-month period.
Premises.
A parcel of land, including all structures, buildings, and improvements on it.
Secured Building.
An unoccupied building that has been secured against entry by materials or by other means of securing openings designed for access or which may permit access.
Skilled Manner.
Executed in a manner that is generally plumb, level, square, in line, undamaged, without marring adjacent work and completed in conformance with generally accepted construction and maintenance practices.
Structure.
A structure refers to anything built or constructed, typically including buildings, sheds, fences, towers, or other improvements that are affixed to or resting on the ground.
Unfit for Human Habitation.
A structure is unfit for human habitation whenever the city manager finds that such structure is in disrepair, lacks maintenance, is unsanitary, is pest infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitation or heating facilities to the extent that habitation would be injurious to the health and safety of the occupants.
Unoccupied.
Not being used for a lawful occupancy.
Unsafe Structures.
An unsafe structure is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible.
(2) 
Dangerous, Abandoned, or Derelict Structures Prohibited. No structure shall be occupied if it is:
(a) 
A secured building;
(b) 
Partially constructed;
(c) 
Abandoned;
(d) 
Unfit for human habitation;
(e) 
An unsafe structure; or
(f) 
Ordered to be vacated as declared by the city manager as provided in this section.
(3) 
Closing of Structures. The city manager may order that a structure be vacated for violation of this section. The order shall be posted on the structure and shall contain the information required in this chapter.
(4) 
Termination of Order. The city manager shall authorize termination of the order when the violation has been eliminated. No person shall deface or remove a posted order authorized in this chapter without the approval of the city manager.
(5) 
Temporary Safeguards. In case of an immediate imminent danger to public health, and safety, or welfare, the city manager may summarily order boarding up of openings or other work to make a structure temporarily safe without following the procedures of this chapter, consistent with summary abatement in section 5.018 of this code.
(6) 
Registration of Structures. The person responsible for a structure ordered vacated shall register the structure within 10 calendar days of the posting of the order by submitting a completed city registration form. The registration form shall include information relating to the location and ownership of the structure, the expected period of its vacancy, a plan for regular maintenance during the period of vacancy, and a plan for its re-occupancy and use, or its demolition. Any change in the information provided pursuant to this section shall be given to the city manager within 30 days. When all violations have been corrected, the owner shall contact the city manager or designee and request an inspection to determine compliance.
(7) 
Fees Imposed. Every owner of a registered dangerous, abandoned, or derelict structure shall pay a nonrefundable quarterly fee for each identified structure. The fee is for each calendar quarter or portion of a quarter. The fee for the current quarter shall be paid with the submission of the registration form. Any payment of the fee that is more than 30 days past due is subject to a penalty of $100.00. The fee per quarter shall be $150.00 or other higher amount set by council resolution. Fees must be paid prior to the issuance of any permit for the demolition, alteration, or repair of a structure.
(8) 
Fee Waivers. The city manager may waive all or a portion of the fees imposed under this chapter, if the city manager finds that following conditions are met:
(a) 
All delinquent fees and penalties have been paid in full;
(b) 
A timeline for the repair or demolition of the structure has been submitted by the owner and approved by the city manager;
(c) 
All appropriate permits have been obtained for the repair or demolition of the structure;
(d) 
The city manager is satisfied that the repairs or demolition of the structure are being undertaken and will be prosecuted to completion in a timely fashion; and
(e) 
The person responsible for the structure provides written authorization for the city to enforce all applicable trespass laws.
(9) 
Abatement by Demolition.
(a) 
In addition to the abatement remedies and procedures provided for in sections 5.006 through 5.018, the city manager may apply to the Municipal Court for an order requiring the person responsible for a dangerous, abandoned, or derelict structure to demolish said structure as provided herein.
(b) 
Upon receipt of an application by the city manager, the municipal court clerk shall set the matter for prompt hearing before the municipal court and give the person responsible, and the owner of the property if different, notice of the date and time set for the hearing by personal delivery or certified mail. Notice shall also be posted on or near the dangerous, abandoned, or derelict structure. Failure of the person responsible or owner to receive such notice or an error in the name or address of the person responsible or owner shall not render the notice void.
(c) 
The municipal court may authorize the demolition of the structure if the city manager shows by a preponderance of the evidence that demolition would be in the public interest. The burden of proof shall be upon the city.
(d) 
In determining whether a structure is so derelict as to require the person responsible to demolish the structure, the municipal court may consider the number and extent of the following factors:
(i) 
Dilapidation;
(ii) 
Disrepair;
(iii) 
Structural defects noted by the building official or fire hazard noted by the fire marshal;
(iv) 
Defects increasing the hazards of fire, accident or other calamity, such as parts standing or attached in such manner as to be likely to fall and cause serious damage or injury;
(v) 
Uncleanliness;
(vi) 
Lawful operation of sanitary facilities;
(vii) 
The presence of a public nuisance; and
(viii) 
The history of unlawful activity in or around the derelict structure.
(e) 
The person responsible must commence demolition within 30 days of the court order authorizing the demolition. If the person responsible fails to do so, the city manager may demolish the structure and assess the costs of the demolition as provided in section 5.014.
(Ord. No. 6494, 4/21/2025)
(1) 
Except where permitted under the Springfield Development Code, no person, not being duly licensed by the state of Oregon, shall engage in the business of wrecking, dismantling, permanently disassembling, or substantially altering the form of any motor vehicle within the city.
(2) 
No person, firm or corporation shall dismantle or wreck, in whole or in part, any motor vehicle body, or portions thereof, to remain upon any public or private property, and leaving of such dismantled motor vehicle body upon any public or private property within the city.
(3) 
No person shall store or permit the storing of an inoperable, abandoned, or discarded vehicle, or parts thereof, on private property unless it is completely enclosed within a building.
(4) 
This section shall not apply to the following: duly licensed motor vehicle dismantlers who are not otherwise in violation of city ordinances or state law; motor vehicle bodies stored or kept in a garage so that the bodies cannot collect water, cannot be accessible to children, and cannot otherwise become a public nuisance; and motor vehicles stored upon property consistent with a lawfully permitted use under the Springfield Development Code.
(Ord. No. 6494, 4/21/2025)