CHAPTER 7.
RODENT HARBORAGE
Sections:
6-7.02 Rodentproofing Required
6-7.03 Rodent Extermination Programs
6-7.04 Continuous Rodentproofing and Rodent Extermination
6-7.05 Rodentproofing: Notices
6-7.10 Garbage and Refuse Accumulation
6-7.11 Rodentproofing: Removal
6-7.01 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:
(a) “Rodent harborage” shall mean any condition which provides shelter or protection for rodents or which favors their multiplication and continued existence.
(b) “Rodentproofing” shall mean permanent construction, alterations, repairs, devices, methods, or means to prevent the ingress of rodents into buildings or structures from the exterior or from one (1) building to another. “Rodentproofing” shall consist essentially of the closing, with materials or equipment impervious to rodent gnawing, of all openings in the exterior walls, ground or first floors, basements, roofs, sewers, and foundations which may be reached by rodents from the ground by climbing or by burrowing. As applied to buildings or structures, “rodentproofing” shall be interpreted to mean a continuous masonry foundation of the size and depth required by the Uniform Building Code and other requirements for a building of the same occupancy for clearances beneath wood joists, wall coverings adjacent to the top foundation, and the protection of roof and foundation openings, and such other methods and means as will provide an equivalent effect and are approved by the Health Officer.
(Secs. 11.1 and 11.2, E.T.C., as added by Sec. 2, Ord. 509)
6-7.02 Rodentproofing Required.
All buildings and structures shall be rodentproofed and maintained in a rodentproof and rodent-free condition.
(Sec. 11.3, E.T.C., as added by Sec. 2, Ord. 509)
6-7.03 Rodent Extermination Programs.
In unusual circumstances where the complete rodentproofing of a building or structure is not feasible or practicable as determined by the
Health Officer, a continuous and repeated rodent extermination program shall be maintained therein.
(Sec. 11.9, E.T.C., as added by Sec. 2, Ord. 509)
6-7.04 Continuous Rodentproofing and Rodent Extermination.
Where any building, structure, or place is subject to repeated infestation with rodents, continuous and repeated rodent extermination shall be performed in addition to such rodentproofing as may be required by the provisions of this chapter.
(Sec. 11.10, E.T.C., as added by Sec. 2, Ord. 509)
6-7.05 Rodentproofing: Notices.
When determined by the Health Officer that any building or structure constitutes a rodent harborage, he may serve a notice in writing upon the person possessing such building or structure to rodentproof such building or structure, or any portion thereof, within a reasonable time.
(Sec. 11.5, E.T.C., as added by Sec. 2, Ord. 509)
6-7.06 Breeding Places.
No person shall possess, occupy, or maintain, or cause or permit another person to occupy or maintain, any building, structure, vehicle, or other place in such a condition as will permit the breeding or harboring therein or thereon of rodents or other vermin.
(Sec. 11.6, E.T.C., as added by Sec. 2, Ord. 509)
6-7.07 Food Storage.
All food or food products intended for human or animal consumption shall be kept or stored in rodent-free and ratproofed containers, compartments, rooms, buildings or structures.
(Sec. 11.4, E.T.C., as added by Sec. 2, Ord. 509)
6-7.08 Food Processing.
No person shall use any building or structure which is infested with rodents or which, in the opinion of the Health Officer, is likely to become infested with rodents for the manufacture, preparation, storage, display, or service of any food or food product, unless such building is made free of rodents and is rodentproofed.
(Sec. 11.4, E.T.C., as added by Sec. 2, Ord. 509)
6-7.09 Storage Requirements.
No person shall accumulate or permit the accumulation on any place, premises, or open lot of any lumber, building materials, boxes, paper, rags, or other materials which may be permitted to remain thereon and which may serve as a rodent harborage, unless materials shall be placed on open racks which are elevated not less than eighteen inches (18") above the ground and evenly piled or stacked or otherwise made reasonably unsuitable as a rodent harborage in such manner as may be approved by the Health Officer.
(Sec. 11.7, E.T.C., as added by Sec. 2, Ord. 509)
6-7.10 Garbage and Refuse Accumulation.
No person shall place, leave, dump, or permit to accumulate any garbage or refuse in any building, structure, or place so that such building, structure, or place shall afford food and harborage for rodents.
(Sec. 11.7, E.T.C., as added by Sec. 2, Ord. 509)
6-7.11 Rodentproofing: Removal.
It shall be a violation of this Code, subject to administrative citation pursuant to Chapter 7 of Title 1, for any person possessing any building or structure, or any contractor, utility company, plumber, or any other person, to remove any rodentproofing from any building or structure for any purpose and to fail to restore such rodentproofing in a satisfactory condition, or to make any new openings in such building or structure which openings are not subsequently closed or sealed against the entrance of rodents.
(Sec. 11.8, E.T.C., as added by Sec. 2, Ord. 509; Sec. 2, Ord. 23-003, eff. Nov. 16, 2023)