It is hereby found and declared:
A. That there exist in the Village premises in residential-zoned
districts which are or may become in the future substandard with respect to
structures, equipment or maintenance;
B. That such conditions, including, but not limited to,
structural deterioration, lack of maintenance and appearance of the exterior
of the premises and appurtenant lawns, infestation and existence of fire hazards,
constitute a threat to the health, safety, general welfare and reasonable
comfort of the citizens of the Village;
C. That by reason of lack of maintenance and because of
progressive deterioration, certain properties have the further effect of creating
blighting conditions and that if these conditions are not curtailed and removed,
they will grow and spread and will necessitate the expenditure of large amounts
of public funds to correct and eliminate;
D. That as the result of the regulations and restrictions
contained in this article, the desirability and amenities of premises zoned
residential may be enhanced and the public health, safety and general welfare
may be protected and fostered.
The purpose of this article is to protect the public health, safety
and general welfare by establishing minimum standards governing the maintenance,
appearance and condition of residential zoned premises; to fix certain responsibilities
and duties upon owners and operators and occupants; to authorize and establish
procedures for the inspection of residential zoned premises; and to provide
for the repair, demolition or vacation of premises unfit for human habitation,
occupancy or use.
The following words and terms, wherever used in this article, shall
be defined as follows unless a different meaning clearly appears from the
context:
DETERIORATION
The condition of a building or part thereof characterized by holes,
breaks, rot, crumbling, peeling, rusting or other evidence of physical decay
or neglect, lack of maintenance or excessive use.
EXTERMINATION
The control and elimination of insects, rodents, vermin and other
pests.
INFESTATION
The presence of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests on the premises
that constitutes a health hazard.
LAWN
Land covered with cool-season grasses maintained at a low height.
NOXIOUS WEEDS
Canada thistle, leafy spurge, field bindweed (creeping jenny), purple
loosestrife, multiflora rose, burdock, common ragweed, great ragweed, garlic
mustard, goat's beard, poison ivy, wild parsnip, cocklebur, pigweed,
common lambsquarter, curled dock, hemp, English plantain and cirsium vulgaries
(bull thistle).
PREMISES
A lot or parcel of land, including the buildings and structures thereon
and its appurtenant land, if any.
PROPERTY OWNER
Any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others, shall
have legal or equitable title to any premises, with or without accompanying
actual possession thereof.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
A thing, act, condition or use of property which shall continue for
such length of time as to substantially annoy, injure or endanger the comfort,
health safety and general welfare of the public; in any way render the public
insecure in life or the use of property; or unlawfully and substantially interfere
with, obstruct or tend to obstruct or render dangerous for passage any street,
alley or other public way or the use of public property.
WASTE
Waste shall include but not be limited to garbage, litter, refuse,
trash, rubbish, junk and debris.
Every building and the land on which it is located, used or intended
to be used shall comply with the provisions of this article, whether or not
such building or premises shall have been constructed, altered, repaired,
installed or planted before or after the effective date of this article.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article or fail to
comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject
to a forfeiture of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 for each violation
and, in addition, shall pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Village
for abatement of the violating condition. Each day such violation continues
or occurs shall be considered a separate offense. Failure to promptly pay
forfeiture shall subject the violator to be sentenced to the county jail until
such forfeiture is paid, but not exceeding 60 days.