Broken doors and windows
Garage with unsound basic structure
Peeling paint
Concrete steps not in good repair
| | All buildings and all property with buildings on it must be in good repair to ensure the safety and health of residents and neighbors. Property maintenance standards for the exterior of commercial buildings located near residential zones and for all residential buildings, include the following: Basic structure, including foundation, walls, and supporting columns must be in good repair. Exterior of buildings must be weather tight, without holes, cracks or deterioration that allow in water or vermin. Exterior surfaces made of iron, wood, steel, masonry, or other material that may not hold up to weather must be protected with weather-resistant paint, stain, or finish. Primer must be covered with a water-resistant finish coat. All exterior windows and doors must be weather-tight and in good repair. Exterior attachments such as gutters, downspouts, screens, vents, antenna, tanks, awnings, signs, lighting fixtures, handrails, guardrails and utility connections must be in good repair. All accessory improvements such as walkways, driveways, parking areas, storm drains, parking bumpers, steps, handrails, poles, fences, walls, and tanks must be in good repair. All additions, replacements, repairs, and changes made to buildings must be made with good workmanship. A building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or other permit may be required prior to making changes. Trees and shrubs may not damage a building or block safe vision of a sidewalk, driveway, or street. Materials of value (something the property owner wants to keep) may not be stored outdoors closer than 3 feet to a dwelling or side- or rear-lot line and may not be stored on a porch or in a front yard. Materials of value must be stored in a safe, clean, and orderly way. Street addresses must be next to the building entrance and in other locations so they are visible from an adjacent public street. No window in an occupied dwelling shall be covered with boarding, wire mesh, metal, or other material that blocks either light or emergency exit/access. Only windows of basements not used as sleeping areas may be permanently secured. All exterior doorways must open on a porch, stairway or paved area. No exterior doorway can be removed or sealed from use as an exit unless approved by the City Fire Department. No person may occupy a structure or vehicle that is not designed as or constructed to be a dwelling.
Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, exterior maintenance complaints may follow procedures for one of several different types of Complaint Enforcement Steps.To report an exterior maintenance violation, call the Code Commpliance Division at (616) 456-3053, M-F, 8-11 a.m. or 1-3:30 p.m., or to report a complaint online click here. |
