Source: https://ecode360.com/8261826
Timestamp: 2019-11-17 04:23:18
Document Index: 213715112

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 556', '§ 556', '§ 556', '§ 556', '§ 556', '§ 556']

City of Royal Oak, MI Property Maintenance
§ 556-1 Adoption of standards.
§ 556-2 Revision of standards.
§ 556-3 (Reserved)
§ 556-4 Additional amendments to standards.
Chapter 556 Property Maintenance
[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Commission of the City of Royal Oak 5-4-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-02.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
Housing standards — See Ch. 400, Art. I.
Public nuisances — See Ch. 484.
Abandoned refrigerators and ice boxes — See Ch. 574.
Rodent control — See Ch. 587.
Abandoned and inoperable vehicles — See Ch. 716.
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 556, Property Maintenance, adopted 10-18-1993 by Ord. No. 93-15.
A certain document, a copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk for the City of Royal Oak, being marked and designated as the "International Property Maintenance Code, 2006 Edition," as published by the International Code Council, as amended, is adopted as the property maintenance code of the City of Royal Oak, in the State of Michigan, for regulating and governing the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures; by providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical things and conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use; and the condemnation of buildings and structures unfit for human occupancy and use, and the demolition of such existing structures; providing for the issuance of permits, collection of fees and imposition of fines; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Property Maintenance Code on file in the office of the City Clerk are referred to, adopted, and made a part, as if fully set out in this chapter, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in § 556-2 of this chapter.
In Section 101.1, insert: "City of Royal Oak" for "NAME OF JURISDICTION."
Section 103.5 is amended to read as follows:
"103.5 Fees. Fees shall be set by resolution of the City Commission. Such fees shall reflect the cost of processing, inspection, supervision and other related costs of regulation. The fees shall be paid into the City Treasury."
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection C, regarding an amendment to Section 302.4, was repealed 7-11-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-07. See now § 556-4R.
In Section 304.14, insert: "July 1 through October 1."
In Section 602.3. insert: "November 1 — May 1."
In Section 602.4, insert: "November 1 — May 1."
The following sections and subsections of the 2006 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code are hereby amended as set forth, and additional sections and subsections are added as indicated. Section numbers used in this chapter shall refer to the like-numbered sections in the 2006 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code. The following sections and subsections of the 2006 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code are hereby amended as set forth, and additional sections and subsections are added as indicated. Section numbers used in this chapter shall refer to the like-numbered sections in the 2006 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code.
Section 104.8, Licenses and inspections, is hereby added to read as follows:
104.8 Licenses and inspections:
No person shall rent, lease, offer for rent or lease, or allow any residential unit or property to be occupied by a nonowner without first obtaining a license therefor.
A residential rental license shall be issued by the Code Official if:
An application is submitted indicating the owner, the number of units and buildings for which the application is sought, the type of units intended, and any other pertinent data sought by the Code Official.
An inspection is performed on the property sought to be licensed and all violations disclosed thereby are either corrected by the applicant or are waived by the Code Official upon a showing of practical difficulty by the applicant.
All application and inspection fees are paid.
A license shall be in effect until the expiration date indicated on the license unless revoked for cause by the City. Failure to secure or renew a license in accordance with the provisions of this chapter or failure to pay such inspection fee is a violation of this chapter. A late charge of $1 per day, per dwelling unit, with a minimum of $5 shall be charged on all payments received after the due date, which is 30 days after the expiration of an existing license or 30 days after notification that an initial license is required. All fees and charges shall be paid by the owner. If the owner fails to pay the City as provided within 30 days of demand by the City, the City shall have a lien on the property for all unpaid fees and charges and may enforce such lien in the manner prescribed by state law for the enforcement of tax liens.
[Amended 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-07]
Suspension or revocation of licenses. Any license issued by the City under this chapter may be suspended by the Code Official for cause, and any permit issued by the City may be suspended or revoked by the City Commission for cause. The licensee shall have the right to a hearing before the Commission on any such action of the Code Official, provided a written request therefor is filed with the City Clerk within five days after receipt of said notice of such suspension. The Commission may confirm such suspension or revoke or reinstate any such license. The action taken by the Commission shall be final. Upon suspension or revocation of any license or permit, the fee therefor shall not be refunded. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, any licensee whose license has been revoked shall not be eligible to apply for a new license for a period of one year after such revocation.
Cause defined. The term "cause," as used in this chapter, shall include the doing or omitting of any act, or permitting any condition to exist in connection with any license or permit granted under the provisions of this chapter, or upon any premises or facilities used in connection therewith, which act, omission or condition is:
Contrary to the health, morals, safety or welfare of the public.
Unlawful, irregular or fraudulent in nature.
Unauthorized or beyond the scope of the license granted.
Forbidden by the provisions of this chapter, or any duly established rule or regulation of the City applicable to housing.
A nuisance on the licensed property.
Inspections. In order to safeguard the safety, health and welfare of the public, the Code Official or his representative is authorized to enter any structure or premises at any reasonable time for the purpose of making inspections and performing his duties under this Code.
All one-family, two-family and multifamily dwelling units which are rented or leased, or are intended to be rented or leased, and all boardinghouses or lodging houses shall be inspected biannually.
Fees. Fees for such licenses shall be set by resolution of the City Commission. Such fees shall reflect the cost of processing, inspection, supervision and other related costs of regulation. The fees shall be paid into the City Treasury.
Section 106.4, Violation penalties, is hereby amended to read as follows:
106.4 Violations and penalties.
A person violating this chapter for the first time is responsible for a municipal civil infraction and subject to payment of a civil fine of not less than $50, plus costs.
A person violating this chapter for the second time is responsible for a municipal civil infraction and subject to payment of a civil fine of not less than $150, plus costs.
A person violating this chapter for the third time is responsible for a municipal civil infraction and subject to payment of a civil fine of not less than $200, plus costs.
A person violating this chapter for the fourth or subsequent time is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or to both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.
Section 110, Demolition, is hereby deleted.
Section 110, Condemnation and demolition, is hereby added to read as follows:
110 CONDEMNATION AND DEMOLITION
110.1 General: It is unlawful for any owner or agent thereof to keep or maintain any dwelling, structure or part thereof, which is a dangerous building as defined in Section PM-110.2 below.
110.2 Definition of a dangerous building: As used herein, "dangerous building" means any building or structure which has any of the following defects or is in any of the following conditions:
Whenever any door, aisle, passageway, stairway or other means of exit does not conform to the approved fire code of the City of Royal Oak.
Whenever any portion has been damaged by fire, wind, flood, deterioration, neglect, abandonment, vandalism, or by any other cause in such a manner that the structural strength or stability is appreciably less than it was before the damage and does not meet the minimum requirements of this chapter or any building code of the City of Royal Oak for a new building or similar structure, purpose or location.
Whenever any portion or member or appurtenance is likely to fall or become detached or dislodged or to collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property.
Whenever any portion has settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have materially less resistance to winds than is required in the case of new construction by this chapter or the building code of the City of Royal Oak.
Whenever the building or structure or any part, because of dilapidation, deterioration, decay, faulty construction, or because of the removal or movement of some portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building, or portion thereof, or for other reason, is likely to partially or completely collapse, or some portion of the foundation or underpinning is likely to fall or give way.
Whenever for any reason whatsoever the building or structure or any portion is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is used.
Whenever the building or structure has been so damaged by fire, wind or flood, or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to become an attractive nuisance to children who might play therein to their danger, or as to afford a harbor for vagrants, criminals or immoral persons, or as to enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing a nuisance or unlawful or immoral acts.
Whenever a building or structure used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of dilapidation, decay, damage or faulty construction or arrangement or otherwise, is unsanitary or unfit for human habitation or is in a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease when so determined by the Health Officer, or is likely to work injury to the health, safety or general welfare of those living within.
Whenever any building becomes vacant, dilapidated and open at door or window, leaving the interior of the building exposed to the elements or accessible to entrance by trespassers.
Whenever the Code Official estimates the cost of placing the building in safe and sanitary condition exceeds 50% of the real value as determined by the City Assessor.
Whenever any building or structure is under construction or repair without a valid permit.
110.3 Notice of dangerous and unsafe condition:
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, when the whole or any part of any building or structure is found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition, the City shall issue a notice of the dangerous and unsafe condition.
Such notice shall be directed to the owner, agent or lessee registered with the City. If no owner, agent or lessee has been registered, then the notice shall be directed to each owner of or party of interest in the building in whose name the property appears on the last local tax assessment records.
The notice shall specify the time and place of a hearing on the condition of the building or structure, at which time and place the person to whom the notice is directed shall have the opportunity to show cause why the building or structure should not be ordered to be demolished or otherwise made safe.
The hearing officer shall be appointed by the City Commission. The City's Code Enforcement Department shall file a copy of the notice of dangerous or unsafe condition with the hearing officer.
All notices shall be in writing and shall be served upon the person to whom they are directed personally, or in lieu of personal service may be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to such owner or party of interest at the address shown on the tax records, at least 10 days before the date of the hearing described in the notice. If any person to whom a notice is directed is not personally served, in addition to mailing the notice, a copy thereof shall be posted upon a conspicuous part of the building or structure.
110.4 Testimony, determination, order, compliance, hearing, cost of compliance as lien, collection:
The hearing officer shall take testimony of the Code Enforcement Department, the owner of the property and any interested party. The hearing officer shall render his decision, either closing the proceedings or ordering the building to be demolished or otherwise made safe.
If it is determined by the hearing officer that the building or structure should be demolished or otherwise made safe, he shall so order, fixing a time in the order for the owner, agent or lessee to comply therewith.
If the owner, agent or lessee fails to appear or neglects or refuses to comply with the order, the hearing officer shall file a report of his findings and a copy of his order with the City Commission and request that the necessary action be taken to demolish or otherwise make safe the building or structure. A copy of the findings and order of the hearing officer shall be served on the owner, agent or lessee in the same manner as the notice.
The City Commission shall fix a date for hearing, reviewing the findings and order of the hearing officer and shall give notice to the owner, agent or lessee in the manner described above of the time and place of the hearing. At the hearing, the owner, agent or lessee shall be given the opportunity to show cause why the building should not be demolished or otherwise made safe, and the City Commission shall either approve, disapprove or modify the order for the demolition or making safe of the building or structure.
The cost of the demolition or making the building safe shall be in a lien against the real property and shall be reported to the City Assessor, who shall assess the cost against the property on which the building or structure is located.
The owner or party in interest in whose name the property appears upon the last local tax assessment records shall be notified of the amount of such cost by first-class mail at the address shown on the records. If he fails to pay the same within 30 days after mailing by the Assessor of the notice of the amount thereof, the Assessor shall add the same to the next City tax roll of the City and the same shall be collected in the same manner in all respects as provided by law for the collection of taxes by the City.
Section 111, Means of Appeal, is hereby amended to read as follows:
111.1 Appeals Board: The Building Code Board of Appeals and its rules shall also be the Existing Structures Code Board of Appeals and Rules. The Board shall have the power to interpret the provisions of this Code upon application in writing by the owner or lessee or his/her duly authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the code, so that the spirit of the code shall be observed, public health, safety and welfare secured and substantial justice done. The particulars of such interpretation when granted or allowed and any decision of the Board shall be entered upon the records, and a signed copy be furnished to the applicant.
Section 111.2, Membership of the Board, is hereby deleted.
Section 202, General Definitions, is hereby amended in part to amend the definition of "dwellings" in part to read as follows:
ONE-FAMILY DWELLING: A building containing one dwelling unit with not more than two lodgers or boarders.
TWO-FAMILY DWELLING: A building containing two dwelling units with not more than two lodgers or boarders in each dwelling unit.
BOARDINGHOUSE, LODGING HOUSE, TOURIST HOUSE: A building arranged or used for lodging, with or without meals, for compensation, for three or more, but not exceeding 10, persons.
Section 303.2.1 is hereby added to read as follows:
303.2.1 "Stagnant water" shall mean any accumulation that has not dispersed within seven days of the last recorded local rainfall.
Section 303.9 is hereby added to read as follows:
303.9 Loading areas: All loading areas, automobile service stations and drive-in food establishments shall be paved with bituminous, concrete or equivalent surfacing and shall be free from dirt and other litter and kept in good repair. When lighted for nighttime use, lights shall not be permitted to cast directly upon dwellings nearby.
Section 303.10, Storage areas, is hereby added to read as follows:
303.10 Storage areas: All approved open salvage yards and storage areas shall be completely obscured from surrounding property by a solid screen not less than six feet (1,829 mm) in height. Storage of autos, trucks, equipment, debris, junk or construction materials, which are not associated with an approved use or permitted construction at that site, shall be prohibited.
Section 303.11 is hereby added to read as follows:
303.11 Exterior lighting:
No owner or tenant of any residential property shall authorize, maintain or permit the operation of outside security lighting that shines upon or onto any adjoining residential property from any residential property owned, leased, rented or under his or her control, nor shall any owner or tenant of any residential property authorize, maintain or permit the operation of any light, including an incandescent light without a reflecting surface and not exceeding 75 watts, that unreasonably shines into or upon adjoining residential property so as to interfere with the enjoyment of the property rights by the owners or tenants of adjoining residential property.
The owner or tenant of any residential property where outside security lighting is installed shall not permit such lighting to operate unless such lighting is shielded in a manner to prevent light from such installation from shining into or upon any adjoining residential property.
Exceptions: For purposes of this section, "outside security lighting" means any electrically operated light mounted or installed upon residential property on the exterior of any building, or on or upon any exterior object located on the property, except incandescent lights without a reflecting surface and not exceeding 75 watts.
The exception to outside security lighting for incandescent lights without a reflecting surface and not exceeding 75 watts would not apply to incandescent lights installed within a ten-foot radius of each other whose combined wattage exceeded 75 watts. The exception would also not apply to incandescent lights without a reflecting surface and not exceeding 75 watts, which unreasonably shine into or upon adjoining residential property so as to interfere with the enjoyment of the property rights by the owners or tenants of adjoining residential property.
Section 304.13.1, Glazing, is hereby amended to read as follows:
304.13.1 Glazing: Every window sash shall be fully supplied with approved glazing materials and shall be maintained free from cracks and holes.
Section 305.7, Free from dampness, is hereby added to read as follows:
305.7 Free from dampness: In every building, basements and crawlspaces shall be maintained to prevent conditions conducive to decay or deterioration of the structure.
Section 305.8, Floors, is hereby added to read as follows:
305.8 Floors: Bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with floors of moisture-resistant material.
Section 503.5, Privacy, is hereby amended to read as follows:
503.5 Privacy: Toilet rooms and bathrooms shall provide privacy and shall not constitute the only passageway to a hall or other space, or the exterior. Every nonresidential structure that requires or supplies a water closet shall provide within the toilet room partitions, enclosures or compartments for privacy.
Section 703.3, Residential unit, is hereby added to read as follows:
703.3 Residential unit: A dwelling unit or rooming unit shall not be located within a structure containing an establishment handling, dispensing, or storing flammable liquids or materials with a flashpoint of 110° F. (43° C.) or lower, except as provided for in the Building Code listed in Appendix A.
Section 704.3 is hereby amended to read as follows:
704.3 Power source: The power source for smoke detectors shall be either an AC primary power source or a monitorized battery primary power source; except that in Use Groups R-1 (hotels, motels and rooming houses) the power source shall be an AC primary power source.
Section 302.4 of the International Property Code is repealed in its entirety and amended to read as follows:
[Added 7-11-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-07]
302.4 All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from plant growth in excess of eight inches; excluding trees, shrubs, cultivated flowers, gardens and planned natural landscaping.
302.4.1 Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to maintain it in compliance with Section 302.4 and after service of a notice of violation, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with Section 106.3 and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and bring the property in compliance with Section 302.4, and the costs shall be paid by the owner or agent for the property.
302.4.2 "Native plants" are those plants identified as native plant species in southern lower Michigan by Michigan State University Native Plants and Ecosystem Services, a copy of which shall be maintained at the City.
302.4.3 "Planned natural landscaping" is a planned, intentional and maintained landscaping or cultivation of native plants, ornamental grasses and ground covers, rain gardens, shrubs and trees. Nonnative plants and invasive species of plants are prohibited. Planned natural landscaping is not intended to allow a property owner to ignore lawn care duties.
302.4.4 Planned natural landscaping shall be cut back, at least annually, to remove dead or unmaintained growth. A person who is an owner of real property shall cut or remove any dead or unmanaged growth on his or her property, including a planned natural landscaping.
302.4.5 Planned natural landscaping shall be designed not to attract rats.