[Ord. No. 34-1996, § 1, 3-19-1996; 5-3-2022(2)]
A certain document, designated as the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., is hereby adopted as the property maintenance code of the City of Belfast, for the control of buildings and structures as provided in this article, and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of such ICC 2021 International Property Maintenance Code are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part of this article as if fully set out in this article, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in Section 74-122. One copy is on file in the office of the City Clerk, Code Enforcement Officer and City Manager.
[Ord. No. 34-1996, § 3, 3-19-1996; Ord. No. 25-2005, 12-7-2004; 5-3-2022(2)]
The property maintenance code adopted in Section 74-121 is amended as follows:
(a) 
Generally in all sections.
Delete "International Plumbing Code."
Insert "The plumbing code adopted pursuant to 32 M.R.S. § 3403-B."
Delete "ICC Electrical Code."
Insert "Electrical standards adopted pursuant to 32 M.R.S. § 1153-A."
Delete "International Fire Code."
Insert "NFPA #1; Fire codes and standards adopted pursuant to Title 25 M.R.S. §§ 2452 and 2465."
(b) 
Chapter 1, Part 1 - Scope and Application, Section 101 Scope and General Requirements, is amended to read as follows:
[A] 101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Property Maintenance Code of The City of Belfast, hereinafter referred to as "this code."
[A] 102.3 Application of other codes is amended as follows:
Repairs, additions or alterations to a structure, or changes of occupancy, shall be done in accordance with the procedures and provisions of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code as adopted in Title 10, MRSA Chapter 1103, et seq.
The following codes, standards, rules and their amendments, listed in this section, shall remain in full force and effect in their entirety and are not affected by the operation of this Code.
A. 
Electrical standards adopted pursuant to 32 M.R.S. § 1153-A.
B. 
The plumbing code adopted pursuant to 32 M.R.S. § 3403-B.
C. 
Oil and solid fuel burning equipment standards adopted pursuant to 32 M.R.S. § 2353.
D. 
Propane and natural gas equipment standards adopted pursuant to 32 M.R.S. § 14804.
E. 
Boiler and pressure vessel standards adopted pursuant to 32 M.R.S. § 15104-A.
F. 
Elevator standards adopted pursuant to 32 M.R.S. § 15206.
Nothing in this code shall be construed to cancel, modify or set aside any provision of the City of Belfast Code of Ordinances.
(c) 
Delete Section 103 and 104 in their entirety without substitution.
(d) 
Delete Section 107 Means of Appeal contents and replace with:
Section 107 Means of Appeal.
[A] 107.1 Application for appeal. Any person shall have the right to file an administrative appeal of a decision of the code enforcement officer to the zoning board of appeals as established in article VI, section 11 of the Charter, and in accordance with provisions stipulated in chapter 102, Zoning, article II, Administration, division 4, Appeals and Variances.
[A] 107.2 The zoning board of appeals is specifically prohibited from giving consideration to the granting of a variance from the provisions of this code.
(e) 
Delete Section 108 in its entirety without replacement.
(f) 
Delete Section 111 in its entirety and replace with:[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: So in original; no text provided.
(g) 
Chapter 2 Definitions. Section 202 General Definitions is amended by adding the following:
PROPERTY MANAGER
Shall be a person, corporation, partnership or any other group acting as a unit that receives compensation or anything of value on an ongoing basis, for providing services in whole or in part related to the maintenance, operation, safety, repair, collection of rents, or procurement of and/or removal of tenants relating to rental units which are rented within the City. This shall not relate to independent contractors or workmen employed solely for providing sporadic maintenance services.
(h) 
Section 302.4 Weeds is amended to read:
All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 12 inches. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.
Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of a notice violation, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with Section 107 and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and cut and destroy the weeds growing thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property.
(i) 
Section 304.14 Insect Screens shall be amended to read:
304.14 Insect screens. During the period from May 1 to September 10, every door, window and other outside opening required for ventilation of habitable rooms, food preparation areas, food service areas or any areas where products to be included or utilized in food for human consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged or stored, shall be supplied with approved tightly fitting screens of not less than 16 mesh per inch (16 mesh per 25 mm) and every swinging door shall have a self-closing device in good working condition.
Exception: Screens shall not be required where other approved means, such as air curtains or insect repellent fans, are employed.
(j) 
Section PM-602.3 is amended by deleting [Date] to [Date] and inserting "October 1 to May 15."
(k) 
Section PM-602.4 is amended by deleting [Date] to [Date] and inserting "October 1 to May 15."