Chapter 8.40
RATS
Sections:
8.40.020 Prevention of building entry.
8.40.030 Cleanliness and sanitation of buildings.
8.40.070 Slaughterhouse protection.
8.40.080 Right of entry for inspection.
8.40.010 Compliance required.
It is unlawful for any person to keep, store or expose for sale, any food products or other goods, or to occupy or maintain any building, storeroom or warehouse or to reside in any residence without complying with the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 914 § 1, 1970. Prior code § 7.12.010)
8.40.020 Prevention of building entry.
All basements and walls of all buildings, storerooms, warehouses and residences within the city shall be so constructed or repaired by the use of screens, nettings, cement or other materials approved by the Pierce County director of health and/or the city health officer as to prevent rats from gaining entrance to or harboring beneath them. (Ord. 914 § 2, 1970. Prior code § 7.12.020)
8.40.030 Cleanliness and sanitation of buildings.
All buildings, storerooms, warehouses and residences within the city shall be forthwith placed in a clean and sanitary condition and rendered free from rats. It shall be the duty of the owner, lessee or occupant thereof to take all necessary steps to that end. (Ord. 914 § 3, 1970. Prior code § 7.12.030)
8.40.040 Traps.
All buildings, storerooms, warehouses and residences shall be provided by the owner, lessee or occupant thereof with such number of rat traps of a pattern approved by the Pierce County director of health and/or the city health officer as may be ordered by the director of health and/or the city health officer and shall be inspected by the owner, lessee or occupant daily and any rat or rats caught therein shall be removed therefrom. (Ord. 914 § 4, 1970. Prior code § 7.12.040)
8.40.050 Poisons.
Poisons, suitable for the extermination of rats, will be placed at or in buildings, storerooms, warehouses and residences when the Pierce County director of health and/or the city health officer determines that a need exists for the placing of such poisons. It shall be the duty of each owner, lessee, or occupant of such building, storeroom, warehouse or residence to comply with all orders and directives of the Pierce County director of health and/or the city health officer regarding the placing of poisons and the type to be used. (Ord. 914 § 5, 1970. Prior code § 7.12.050)
8.40.060 Food protection.
All food products or other goods, whether kept for sale or for any other purpose, shall be so protected as to prevent rats from gaining access thereto or coming in contact therewith. (Ord. 914 § 6, 1970. Prior code § 7.12.060)
8.40.070 Slaughterhouse protection.
All slaughterhouses in the city shall be so protected by wire screens or netting or cement, as to prevent rats from gaining access to the building or buildings thereof and all holes and openings in the building or basement walls shall be thoroughly stopped with cement, or other approved material and all food products stored in slaughterhouses shall be so kept as to prevent rats from gaining access thereto or coming in contact therewith. (Ord. 914 § 7, 1970. Prior code § 7.12.070)
8.40.080 Right of entry for inspection.
The city health officer, the Pierce County director of health and all inspectors or employees thereof shall at all reasonable times have and be granted access to any building, storeroom, warehouse or residence for the purpose of inspecting same and of ascertaining whether the provisions of this chapter have been complied with. (Ord. 914 § 8, 1970. Prior code § 7.12.080)
8.40.090 Violation – Penalty.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000. (Ord. 1302 § 1, 1985: Ord. 914 § 10, 1970. Prior code § 7.12.100)