[Adopted 8-11-2008 by Ord. No. 08-04; amended in its entirety 10-12-2010 by Ord. No. 10-26]
For the purposes of this article, the following words and terms
shall have the meanings respectively ascribed as follows:
ABATE
The removal, painting over or other obscuring of graffiti
from view as directed by a notice to remove.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
Any detached improvement not designated as part of the main
residence or structure.
[Added 4-14-2014 by Ord. No. 14-06]
BLIGHTED PREMISES
Any building or structure, or any portion of a building or
structure that is a separate unit, regardless of whether the same
are vacant or occupied, or any accessory structure or fence, and/or
any vacant parcel of land, in which at least one of the following
conditions exist:
[Amended 4-14-2014 by Ord. No. 14-06]
A.
It is determined by the Town that existing conditions pose a
serious or immediate danger to the health, safety or welfare of any
person.
B.
The property is not being maintained so that it reflects a reasonable
level of maintenance in keeping with the standards of the community
and not constituting a blighting factor for adjoining property owners,
or an element leading to the progressive deterioration of the neighborhood.
C.
The property is becoming dilapidated and is a factor that is
materially depreciating property values in the neighborhood.
D.
The following factors may be considered in determining whether
a building or any structure on the property is not being maintained:
missing, broken or boarded windows or doors; a collapsing or missing
wall, roof, floor, stairs, porch, railings, basement hatchways, chimneys,
gutters or awnings; siding that is seriously damaged, missing, faded
or peeling; fire damages; a foundation that is structurally faulty;
or that the outside of the property is not being maintained in accordance
with the standards set forth in this chapter. Vacant buildings must
be boarded up as required by the Building Code. In addition, for any
building that is vacant for more than two months, the plywood used
to board up the openings must be painted in a color to match the building.
E.
The exterior and areas exposed to public view of all commercial,
industrial and residential properties are not being kept free from
deterioration and/or are not in a good state of repair. Maintenance
of the outside of the property shall include, without limitation,
the following:
(1)
All surfaces shall be maintained free of broken glass, crumbling
stone or brick or other conditions reflective of deterioration or
inadequate maintenance.
(2)
The property shall be kept litter free. Garbage or trash shall
not be improperly stored or accumulated on the premises.
(3)
The maintenance and appearance of the grounds and yards of premises
shall be such that they reflect the level of upkeep of surrounding
premises and properties. This shall include, but not be limited to,
grass that has been allowed to go to seed or grown to a height of
more than eight inches, severely overgrown bushes and trees, dead
trees, or any vegetation of any nature which encroaches on streets,
sidewalks, or any other part of the public domain.
(4)
There shall be no graffiti on any buildings or structures.
F.
The property is a fire hazard as documented by the Fire Department.
G.
The property is attracting illegal activity as documented by
the Police Department.
H.
Rat infestations as documented by the Health Department.
I.
Abandoned vehicles and/or abandoned boats on the property.
J.
Storage requirements. All equipment or other materials stored
on the property must be free from rust and in good working order.
Abandoned appliances, automobile parts, discarded household items
and piles of rotten lumber are prohibited from being stored on the
property. Equipment and material stored outside shall be stacked and/or
arranged in an orderly fashion in a location providing reasonable
screening from neighbors and adjoining streets.
CITATION CLERK
The position as established in Chapter
6 of the Stratford Town Code.
DILAPIDATED
A building or structure in a state of disrepair or ruin as
a result of age or neglect.
[Amended 4-14-2014 by Ord. No. 14-06]
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The Town Health Director or his/her designee, the Town Housing
Code Enforcement Officer or his/her designee, the Blight Enforcement
Officer, or any Town employee who has statutory authority to enter
onto private property for the purpose of inspecting said property,
and is appointed by the Mayor to issue fines for violations of this
article.
GRAFFITI
The defacing, damaging, or destroying by spraying of paint
or marking of ink, dye or other similar substances on public or private
buildings, structures, facilities, natural features, and places.
LEGAL OCCUPANCY
Occupancy that is legal by virtue of compliance with state
building, state fire safety, local zoning and housing codes and all
other pertinent codes, which habitation must be substantiated by a
bona fide lease agreement, a rent receipt or a utility statement.
NEIGHBORHOOD
An area of the Town comprised of all premises or parcels
of land, any part of which is within a radius of 800 feet of any part
of another parcel or lot within the Town.
UNIT
Any space within a building that is or can be rented by or
to a single person, household or entity for his/her or its sole use,
and is intended to be a distinct space.
VACANT
A period of 60 days or longer during which a building or
a portion thereof is not legally occupied.
Any owner of real property in the Town shall not cause or allow
blighted premises, as defined in this article, to be created, nor
shall any owner allow the continued existence of such blighted premises.
[Added 2-13-2018 by Ord. No. 18-02]
The position as established within the Town, Blight Enforcement
Officer, shall serve as assigned by the Mayor.