[HISTORY: Adopted by the Commissioners of the Town of Dewey Beach as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 10-13-1990 by Ord. No. 187 (§ 630 of the 1984 Code)]
The following standard shall be applicable for the cleanliness of sidewalks, parking lots, vacant lots and open areas within the area of the Town of Dewey Beach which are either zoned or used for commercial purposes and shall constitute the minimum standards for keeping these areas clear and free of foreign matter.
[Amended 9-10-1993 by Ord. No. 275]
The proprietors and/or owners of all commercial establishments shall cause the sidewalks and gutters adjacent to their establishments to be swept at least one time per day before 7:00 a.m. whenever the establishment is open for business. The proprietors shall cause to be maintained in a clean and neat condition all sidewalks and adjacent parking lots to said commercial establishments during business hours.
The proprietors and/or owners of all commercial establishments from which food or beverage or both are sold or dispensed to customers on the sidewalk shall cause the sidewalks adjacent to their establishments to be washed each Monday, Friday and the day following any legal holiday, before noon whenever such establishment is open for business.
All trash stored outside any commercial establishment shall be stored in verminproof containers.
All empty boxes and similar debris stored outside a commercial establishment shall be stored in such a manner as not to block any public access areas or be visible from Route One.
Trash cans shall be emptied and parking lots cleaned each day at time of closing.
[Adopted 6-10-1994 by Ord. No. 297 (§ 633 of the 1984 Code)]
No owner or occupier of any lot, place or area within the corporate limits of the Town, nor any agent of such owner or occupier, shall permit on such lot, place or area or upon any sidewalk abutting such lot any unregulated growth of weeds, grass or other vegetation.
The Building Official is authorized and directed to notify, in writing, by certified mail with return receipt requested, by postage prepaid, the owner or occupier of any lot, place or area within the corporate limits of the Town or the agent of the owner or occupier to cut, destroy and remove any unregulated growth found growing, lying or located on such owner's or occupier's property or upon the sidewalk abutting the same.
The owner, occupier, or the agent of the owner or occupier of any lot, place or area having in any calendar year received notice pursuant to the provisions of § 138-8 shall be deemed to have received notice for the remainder of the year that on the first day of each month thereafter, commencing May 1 through October 1, both dates inclusive, the Town may, without further notice cut, destroy and remove all unregulated growth growing, lying or located on such owner's or occupier's property or upon the sidewalk abutting the same and that the cost of such removal shall be charged and collected in accordance with the provisions of this article.
Upon the failure, neglect or refusal of any owner or occupier or the agent of such owner or occupier to cut, destroy and remove any unregulated growth lying or located on such owner's or occupier's property or upon the sidewalk abutting the same within five days after receipt of such written notice or within 10 days of the mailing of such notice, in the event that the notice is returned to the post office due to the inability to make delivery thereof, the Building Official is authorized to remove and to pay for the cutting, destroying or removal of such unregulated growth.
Whenever the Building Official has effected the removal of any unregulated growth or has paid for its removal pursuant to the provisions of this article, the actual cost thereof, together with additional charge of 20% of the actual charge to defray administrative expenses, plus accrued interest at the rate of 24% per annum from the date of completion of the work, if not paid by the owner or occupier prior thereto, shall be charged to the owner or occupier of such property on the next beach tax bill. Such charge shall be due and payable by the owner at the time of payment of such tax bill.