§ 11-12. Standards for residential rental unit.

For purposes of this chapter, the following standards apply to residential rental units and must be met prior a permit being issued and at all times thereafter.

The landlord, owner, property management personnel are responsible for informing and providing these standards to their tenants.

(1)

Trash cans and storage of solid waste. Rollcarts will only be placed at the street on pickup days and are removed from the street each evening in accordance with town code.

(2)

Environmental. Weeds, undergrowth, trash, garbage, stagnant water, abandoned vehicles or other household items, and other matter deleterious to good health and public sanitation shall be removed.

(3)

Doors and windows. Individual dwelling units must have access directly to the outside or to a common corridor. Sleeping rooms must have at least one five-square foot operational window, or an exterior door that is operable from the inside. Exterior windows must be free of defects, capable of opening and closing, and have working locks.

(4)

Roofs and gutters. Roofs must cover the entire floor plan of the house. Any damage to the roof must be repaired within 90 days of incident; damaged roofs may be covered with tarp or other temporary device and such device may be maintained for not more than 90 days. Standard roofing materials are to be used for repair. Any gutters are to be firmly attached to the roof and appropriate sections are to be connected.

(5)

Stairs, rails, porches, decks. A handrail is required for four or more stairs. Guardrails are required on decks over 30 inches above grade. Porches and decks shall not have apparent structural damage or broken or missing rails or steps.

(6)

Fences/walls. Fences and walls must be maintained to builder standards and cannot lean, have parts missing, they also may not have parts that are loose or unstable, need paint or have cracks that need patching.

(7)

Swimming pools/spas. Swimming pools and spas shall be enclosed and include a self-closing and self-latching gate of 48 inches minimum height. Pools must be maintained with clean water (stagnation and/or fungus must be removed) or the pool must be drained.

(8)

Evidence of infestation. Premises shall appear free of rats, mice, roaches or other vermin.

(9)

Parking spaces. There shall be at least one all weathered surfaced parking space per vehicle. The parking surface material shall be concrete, asphalt or contained gravel surface, and no more than four vehicles will be permitted in the front area of the residence.

(10)

Grass height. Grass and weed height will not exceed eight inches when measured with the ruler on the ground. All lawns must be properly landscaped and maintained. Inspections for compliance will begin with normal rental renewals after January 1, 2019; inspections will include properties registering for the first time. Inspections will be performed by the zoning administrator or his/her designated representative.

(11)

Vehicles. Unlicensed and/or unregistered vehicles are not permitted to be parked in the front or side of any dwelling (includes parking areas, driveways and yards).

(12)

Tree debris. Fallen and/or broken limbs must be removed from the yard and placed at the curb, in the yard, not in the road or on public sidewalk for pickup by the trash collector (trash collector requirements regarding width and length must be adhered to).

(13)

Leaves. Must be bagged, placed at the curb, in the yard, not in the road or on public sidewalk, for pickup by trash collector.

(14)

Garages. Garage doors shall be maintained in a fully functional condition. They shall be maintained free of rot or other decay. Garage door glass shall be replaced if cracked or broken.

Garages shall be used only for the storage of vehicles or yard maintenance equipment. Provided, however, garages may be used for the storage of other items so long as the content of the garage is not visible from the street or from public view.

(15)

Storm doors and windows. Storm doors and windows shall be maintained in a fully functional condition. Broken or cracked glass shall be replaced and such items shall not be allowed to rust or to be inadequately affixed to the property.

(16)

Siding. Exterior siding shall be maintained so as to remain properly affixed to the structure in accord with accepted building standards. External siding shall not be allowed to rot, or decay and must be properly painted with no peeling paint.

(17)

Boats and recreational vehicles. Boats, recreational vehicles, motor homes, campers and travel trailers shall not be stored at any residential rental dwelling (exception is back yard). However, these vehicles can be parked on concrete driveway for not more than two days for cleaning, washing, loading, unloading or repairing. Recreational vehicles may not be parked in street for more than 24 hours (subject to safety conditions).

(18)

Stumps. Stumps from trees which have fallen or which have been cut shall be removed within 30 days from the time the tree falls or is cut.

(19)

Parking. Cars may not be parked in front or side yards except on paved areas designed for the parking of vehicles.

(20)

Occupancy. No more than one-family (defined as an individual; or persons related by blood or marriage living together; or group of individuals, not more than three unless related by blood or marriage in single housekeeping unit) may live in a rental home zoned for single-family residential. No more than ten people may live in any residential rental dwelling (exceptions may be granted by the Town Administrator).

(21)

Utilities. Any occupied residential rental dwelling must at all times have water, sewer and electrical services connected to proper provider or shall be deemed unrentable. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that each dwelling has sewer service, and the failure to do so will result in a fine no less than $500.00 along with the requirement to clean up all illicit discharges and hold harmless the Town of Irmo in any health or pollution issues.

(Ord. No. 12-12, 6-19-2012; Ord. No. 14-13, 11-18-2014; Ord. No. 18-04, 6-19-2018)