§ 14-37. Dilapidated properties.

(a)

Residential properties. Any residential housing or commercial building that is in such disrepair or damage to the extent to be uninhabitable is deemed to be dilapidated and shall constitute a violation of town code. Any residential structure that is not uninhabitable shall nevertheless be deemed dilapidated if it has disrepair or damage such as, but not limited to:

(1)

Garage doors that are rotten, not properly attached or incapable of opening/closing as designed;

(2)

Exterior siding, fascia boards, or any other lumber, molding, not securely attached (pulling away from main structure);

(3)

Broken windows or missing exterior doors;

(4)

Roofs that have been damaged, with hole(s), or in need of repair shall be considered a violation and abatement issued (providing a ten-day period to submit sufficient documentation of abatement efforts to the town administrator). The town administrator will grant such time for abatement as the town administrator determines is appropriate upon the providing of sufficient supporting documentation of abatement efforts; and

(5)

Gutters and window shutters that are not securely attached and/or hanging from roofline or structure shall be considered a violation and abatement issued (providing a ten-day period to correct) these deficiencies can be corrected by proper attachment and/or removal from the structure.

Any of these violations not corrected during the abatement period will result in the owner being issued a citation. This article encompasses all residential and commercial structures within the municipal boundaries. The town will maintain and make available to an affected citizen hereunder a list of charitable organizations that may be willing to volunteer to assist citizens with abatement issues. It is the responsibility of an affected citizen to make a request for this list to the town administrator. Inclusion on this list will [be] voluntary and the organizations on the list shall not be obligated to assist any person by virtue of their inclusion on the list.

(b)

Commercial properties. Any commercial structure shall be deemed to be dilapidated and shall constitute a violation of town code if it has disrepair or damage such as, but not limited to:

(1)

Any doors (public access or warehousing) that are rotten, not properly attached or incapable of opening and/or closing as designed;

(2)

Exterior siding, fascia boards, eaves, or any other lumber, molding not securely attached (pulling away from main structure);

(3)

Brick work, block walls, sheet metal siding that are crumbling and/or separating from the structure/foundation;

(4)

Broken or missing windows, storm doors, skylights or exterior light fixtures;

(5)

Damaged or missing steps and/or porch railings;

(6)

Roofs that have been damaged, with hole(s), or in need of repair shall be considered a violation and abatement issued (providing a ten-day period to submit sufficient documentation of abatement efforts to the town administrator). The town administrator will grant such time for abatement as the town administrator determines is appropriate upon the providing of sufficient supporting documentation of abatement efforts;

(7)

Off-Street parking areas that are damaged or need of repairs (potholes, cracks, overgrown vegetation, etc.);

(8)

Parking area lights that are damaged, broken or missing bulbs;

(9)

Exterior signage that is damaged or vandalized.

Any of these violations not corrected during the abatement period will result in the owner being issued a citation.

(Ord. No. 16-25, 2-7-2017; Ord. No. 17-07, 3-21-207; Ord. No. 17-09, 3-21-2017)