Village of Waterford, WI Article II Nonresidential Structures

§ 178-14 Maintenance of structures, premises and accessory buildings.

A. Scope. The provisions of this section shall govern the minimum conditions for maintenance of those structures, premises and accessory buildings within the Village not covered by §§ 178-1 through 178-13, including, but not limited to, commercial and industrial structures, premises and accessory buildings. All structures, premises and accessory buildings within the Village subject hereto shall comply with the conditions herein prescribed insofar as they are applicable.

B. Adoption of sections.

(1) The following sections shall be made a part herein, incorporated herein and shall apply to all structures, premises and accessory buildings subject hereto:

	§ 178-1	Unsafe and unsanitary buildings
	§ 178-3	Definitions
	§ 178-8	Inspection by Building Inspector
	§ 178-9	Enforcement; identification and conduct of Building Inspector
	§ 178-10	Notice
	§ 178-11	Placarding buildings
	§ 178-12	Noncompliance; remedy of defects
	§ 178-13	Transfer of ownership of noncomplying buildings

(2) The sections listed in Subsection B(1) are for the purpose of establishing minimum standards for structures, premises and accessory buildings subject hereto and do not replace or modify the standards otherwise established for the construction, replacement, repair or use of buildings contained in Chapters 98, Building, Plumbing, Electrical and Mechanical Codes, and 245, Zoning, or other applicable ordinances, statutes or regulations, except as such are in conflict with the provisions of this article.

C. Maintenance of vacant structures and land.

(1) Clean and sanitary. All vacant structures, premises and accessory buildings and yards connected thereto shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition.

(2) Exterior and interior maintenance.

[Amended 10-24-1994 by Ord. No. 306; 9-11-1995 by Ord. No. 320]

(a) Exteriors maintained. The exteriors of the vacant structures, premises and accessory buildings must be maintained in the same manner as if they were in use so as not to cause a blighting effect on the neighborhood.

(b) Interiors maintained. The interiors of the vacant structures, premises and accessory buildings must be maintained in the same manner as if they were in use so as not to cause a blighting effect on the neighborhood.

(c) With respect to the requirements of Subsection C(2)(a) and (b) above set forth, in addition to all other prohibited conduct, and in addition to all other proscribed conduct, there shall be a specific prohibition against the use of materials to cover windows and door openings in a manner other than would be appropriate in the course of conduct were the structure occupied, in the discretion of the Building Inspector, as well as a prohibition against the use of materials which are in a condition of disrepair so as to cause a blighting effect upon the neighborhood. Further, in addition to the enforcement procedures set forth specifically elsewhere in this chapter, the Village Building Inspector, together with the Village Plumbing Inspector, the Village Electrical Inspector, and the Village Health Officer, as well as the Village Fire Inspector, shall, upon notice to the owner which is reasonable under the circumstances, have the right to enter the premises from time to time to inspect with regard to safety from fire hazard, health hazard, and structural hazard, and violations determined in such inspections shall be brought to the attention to the Village Attorney for the purposes of prosecution under this and other enforcement sections of this code.

(3) Closed condition; sanitary considerations.

(a) Owner's responsibility. The owner shall have the responsibility for maintaining all structures, premises and accessory buildings and yards attached thereto:

[1] Free from rubbish, debris or material which might constitute a fire hazard.

[2] Free from rodents or vermin or any food or other material which may attract rodents or vermin.

[3] All such structures, except accessory buildings, shall be kept in a locked or closed condition so that they cannot be entered without an unlawful break-in.

(b) Notice; assessment. If, after a reasonable notice, the owner fails to maintain the property in a closed condition or free of material which can constitute a fire hazard or an attraction for rodents or vermin, the Building Inspector may request the Department of Public Works, either by Village personnel or by contract, to correct the situation and charge the cost thereof upon the tax rolls of the property.

§ 178-15 Condition of premises.

A. Sanitation.

(1) All exterior property areas and premises shall be maintained free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage.

(2) Every owner of any structure, premises or accessory building shall furnish the premises with adequate garbage and rubbish storage and disposal facilities.

B. Premises landscaped, drained and graded.

(1) Required maintenance. Every premises shall be graded and drained so no stagnant water will accumulate or stand on the premises or within any building or structure located on the premises, and every premises shall be continuously maintained in a sanitary, erosion-free and dust-free condition by suitable landscaping with grass, tree, shrubs or other planted ground cover, by paving with asphalt, concrete; or by such suitable means as shall be approved by the Building Inspector.

(2) Leased premises. Where a premises is leased from the owner, the continued maintenance of the premises in the above condition shall also be the responsibility of the lessee.

(3) Enforcement. Whenever a premises is not in compliance with Subsection B(1), the Building Inspector shall give 30 days' notice to the owner or owners or the agent of such owners and the lessee, if any, of the premises to correct the violation. If such violation is not corrected, the Building Inspector shall have the power and hereby is authorized and directed, after the expiration of such thirty-day notice and noncompliance therewith, to cause such premises to be landscaped, seeded and/or sodded, as necessary, by the Department of Public Works at the expense of the owner.

(4) New construction. All yards or premises shall be suitably graded and landscaped so as to comply with this subsection within one year after completion of construction of the principal building.

C. Public areas. All sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved or gravel areas for public use shall be kept in a proper state of repair and free of all debris.

D. Fences. Every fence shall be maintained in a good state of repair.

§ 178-16 Exterior structure.

A. General. The exterior of the structure or accessory building shall be maintained in a structurally sound and sanitary manner.

B. Structural members. All supporting structural members of all structures shall be kept structurally sound, free of deterioration and maintained, capable of safely bearing the dead and live loads imposed upon them.

C. All exterior surfaces. Every foundation, exterior wall and roof shall be weathertight, watertight, rodent-proof and insect-proof and shall be kept in a good state of maintenance and repair.

(1) Wooden surfaces protected. All exterior wood surfaces shall be reasonably protected from the elements and against decay by paint or other approved protective coating applied in a workmanlike manner.

(2) Ferrous metal surfaces protected. All ferrous metal surfaces shall be properly surface-coated when required to prevent deterioration.

(3) Cornices, entablatures, etc. All cornices, entablatures, belt courses, corbels, terra cotta trim, wall facings and similar decorative features shall be maintained in good repair with proper anchorage and in a safe condition.

(4) Signs, marquees and awnings. All canopies, marquees, signs, metal awnings, stairways, fire escapes, standpipes, exhaust ducts and similar overhang extensions shall be maintained in good repair and be properly anchored so as to be kept in a safe and sound condition. They shall be protected from the elements and against decay and rust by the periodic application of a weather-coating material, such as paint or other protective treatment.

(5) Chimneys and supplied smoke pipes. Every chimney and every supplied smoke pipe shall be adequately supported, reasonably clean and maintained in a reasonably good state of repair.

(6) Stairways.

(a) Every inside and outside stairway, every porch and every appurtenance thereto shall be constructed as to be reasonably safe to use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may cause to be placed thereon and shall be kept in sound condition and in a reasonably good state of maintenance and repair.

(b) Every exit from every structure or accessory building shall comply with the following requirements:

[1] It shall be unobstructed at all times.

[2] All exit stairways of more than three risers shall have at least one handrail, and all stairways which are five feet or more in width or which are open on both sides shall have a handrail on each side. Stairways which are less than five feet in width shall have a handrail on the left-hand side as one mounts the stairs on the open side, if any.

[3] All handrails shall not be less than 30 inches vertically above the nose of the stair treads and not less than 42 inches above the stairway platforms.

[4] Every stairway of every structure or accessory building shall be provided with convenient light switches controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on when needed.

D. Windows, doors and basement hatchways.

(1) In good repair. Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway shall be reasonably weathertight and rodent-proof and shall be kept in a reasonably good state of maintenance and repair.

(2) Openable windows. Every window, other than a fixed window, shall be capable of being easily opened and shall be held in position by window hardware.

(3) Insect screens.

(a) Every window required for ventilation, including bath and toilet rooms, shall be supplied with approved screening covering at least 33 1/3% of window area, except that such screens shall not be required for window areas above the fifth floor.

(b) Every structure having two or more basement windows shall have at least two window screens which cover the entire window. Where there is only one basement window, it shall be similarly screened. Such screens shall have a wire mesh of not less than number 16.

(4) Door hardware. Every exterior door, door hinge and door latch shall be maintained in good condition. Door locks shall be in good repair and capable of tightly securing the door.

E. All water shall be conveyed and drained from every roof and structure so as not to cause dampness or damage to the exterior or interior of the structure. Such water, including sump pump drainage, shall be drained and directed in a manner which will in no way damage the adjoining premises.

[Amended 4-10-2006 by Ord. No. 494]

F. Roof gutters and conductors required. Except for private detached accessory buildings not more than 1,000 square feet in area, all roofs of all buildings and structures shall be provided with approved type gutters and conductors. Such gutters and conductors shall be properly installed and maintained in good repair at all times.

§ 178-17 Interior structure.

A. General. The interior of a structure and its equipment shall be maintained structurally sound and in a sanitary condition.

B. Structural members. The supporting structural members of every building shall be maintained structurally sound, not showing any evidence of deterioration which would render them incapable of carrying the imposed loads.

C. Interior surfaces.

(1) To be clean. Every interior partition, wall, floor and ceiling shall be kept in a reasonably good state of repair and maintained so as to permit them to be kept in a clean and sanitary manner.

(2) Bathrooms and kitchens. Every toilet, bathroom and kitchen floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be substantially impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition.

D. Free from dampness. In every building, cellars, basements and crawl spaces shall be maintained reasonably free from dampness to prevent conditions conducive to decay or deterioration of the structure.

E. Sanitation. The interior of every structure shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free from any accumulation of rubbish, refuse or garbage. Rubbish, garbage and other refuse shall be properly kept inside temporary storage facilities as required.

F. Insect and rodent harborage. All structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation, and where insects or rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by acceptable processes which will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation.

G. Exit facilities. All exterior stairs and railings and other exit facilities of every structure shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair by replacing treads and risers that evidence excessive wear or are broken, warped or loose. Every inside stair shall be so constructed and maintained as to be safe to use and capable of supporting the anticipated loads.