Chapter 8.24
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
Sections:
8.24.020 Property maintenance.
8.24.030 Building and structural maintenance.
8.24.040 Landscape maintenance.
8.24.010 Purpose and intent.
The City finds that a proper standard of maintenance guards against unsafe and unhealthful conditions which can cause neighborhood deterioration and economic decline. To ensure a proper standard of maintenance, all properties in the City, including vacant lands and all areas between the extensions of side property lines to the centerline of adjacent streets, shall be subject to the provisions of this title.
8.24.020 Property maintenance.
All properties, including vacant properties, shall be kept free of trash, building materials, or the storage of other goods which are visible from the street or adjacent properties. Properties shall also be kept free of excessive vegetative growth.
Site improvements shall be maintained in a condition to guarantee safety and quality appearance and shall include but not be limited to: parking and walking areas free of weeds and excessive dirt, visible parking lot striping, paving material (including walkways) which provide a smooth, unbroken surface, unbroken curbs and gutters, litter-free trash and loading areas, walls and fences in a sturdy condition and free of graffiti and the like, fountains or other water features which are free of potential health dangers, lighting signs, bicycle racks, internal traffic control items such as speed bumps, and drainage control items which are maintained in safe repair.
8.24.030 Building and structural maintenance.
Buildings, including accessory structures, trellises, awnings and other similar features, shall be maintained in a condition free of the following abuses including but not limited to: loose roofing and siding materials, unconcealed roof equipment, peeling paint or faded stain, broken or cracked windows, any unsafe structural element or other items which would degrade the appearance and/or safety of the structure.
8.24.040 Landscape maintenance.
Landscaping improvements shall be maintained in a healthy condition and complementary to the neighboring buildings and properties. Such maintenance shall include, but not be limited to: lawns which are watered and trimmed to uniform height in their appearance, and shrubs and trees which are trimmed and pruned to remain their health and adequate clearance over pedestrian and vehicular areas. Landscaping incorporating bare earth or gravel shall be kept free of weed growth. Plant materials designated on a landscape plan shall be retained in their natural shape unless otherwise denoted on the approved plan.
Irrigation systems shall provide adequate irrigation to all plant materials to allow normal growth, retain water within planted areas and be maintained in an operative condition.
8.24.050 Prohibited storage.
A. No motor vehicle, recreational vehicle or equipment, off-highway vehicle, trailer or vessel, as defined in the California Vehicle Code, shall be parked or stored for more than 72 hours except when parked outside of the required front or street side yard on an all-weather surface and screened from public view by dense landscaping or fencing. Such surface, landscaping or fencing shall comply with the applicable standards set forth in this code.
B. A required front or street side yard may not be used for the storage of goods, equipment and materials including, but not limited to, the following:
1. Household furnishings, fixtures and appliances;
2. Machinery, tools and equipment;
3. Boxes and mobile storage containers, except when associated with a household’s relocation or ongoing construction or landscaping activities;
4. Salvage materials, scrap metal and construction materials, including but not limited to dirt, sand, gravel, concrete, tile, rocks, bricks and similar materials, except when associated with ongoing excavation, construction, demolition, agricultural or landscaping activities on the same property. (Ord. 694 § 3, 2013).
8.24.060 Exceptions.
The restriction of parking or storage of a motor vehicle, trailer or vessel shall not apply when such vehicle, trailer, or vessel is parked outside of the required front yard or street side yard setback on all-weather surface and screened from public view by dense landscaping or fencing. Such surface, landscaping or fencing shall comply with the applicable standards set forth in this code.
8.24.070 Applicability.
The provisions of this section are in addition to any other provisions established by the Planning Commission or Council to ensure proper maintenance of the properties including maintenance standards established by conditions of approval through the use permit, planned development or design review process.
The provisions of this section are in addition to other provisions of this code providing for the removal of wrecked, dismantled and abandoned vehicles. (Ord. 484, 1992).