International Property Maintenance Code
In order to make our city a cleaner and safer place in which to live, the city has adopted the International Property Maintenance Code, which governs the quality of maintenance of our structures and property. Listed below are the most common and requested sections of the code. For additional sections or clarification, please call the Building Department at 334-448-2740.
302.1 Sanitation
Exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. The occupant shall keep that part of the exterior property.
302.2 Grading & Drainage
Premises shall be graded and maintained to prevent the erosion of soil and to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon, or with any structure located thereon. Exception: Approved retention areas and reservoirs.
302.3 Sidewalks & Driveways
Sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces, and similar areas shall be kept in a proper state of repair, and maintained free from hazardous conditions.
302.4 Weeds
Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 12 inches. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.
302.5 Rodent Harborage
Structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Where rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After pest elimination, proper precautions shall be taken to eliminate rodent harborage and prevent re-infestation.
302.7 Accessory Structures
Accessory structures, including detached garages, fences and walls, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.
302.8 Motor Vehicles
Expect as provided for in other regulations, inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicles shall not be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and vehicles shall not at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. Painting of vehicles is prohibited unless conducted inside an approved spray booth.
303.1 Swimming pools
Swimming pools shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, and in good repair.
Section 308: Rubbish & Garbage – Extermination
308.1 Accumulation of Rubbish or Garbage
Exterior property and premises, and the interior of every structure, shall be free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage.
308.2 Disposal of Rubbish
Every occupant of a structure shall dispose of all rubbish in a clean and sanitary manner by place such rubbish in approved containers.
308.2.1 Rubbish Storage Facilities
The owner of every occupied premises shall supply approved covered containers for rubbish, and the owner of the premises shall be responsible for the removal of rubbish.
308.3 Disposal of Garbage
Every occupant if a structure shall dispose of garbage in a clean and sanitary manner by placing such garbage in an approved garbage disposal facility or approved garbage containers.
Section 309: Pest Elimination
309.1 Infestation
Structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. Structures in which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After pest elimination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent re-infestation.
Enforcement by City: Violation
109.1 Unlawful Acts
It shall be unlawful for a person, firm or corporation to be in conflict with or in violation of any of the provisions of this code.
109.2 Notice of Violation
The code official shall serve a notice of violation or order in accordance with Section 107.
109.3 Prosecution of Violation
Any person failing to comply with a notice of violation or order served in accordance with Section 111.4 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor or civil infraction as determined by the local municipality, and the violation shall be deemed a strict liability offense. If the notice of violation is not complied with, the code official shall institute, the appropriate proceeding at law or in equity to restrain, correct or abate such violation, or to require the removal or termination of the unlawful occupancy of the structure in violation of provisions of this code or of the order or direction made pursuant thereto.
109.5 Abatement of Violation
The imposition of the penalties herein prescribed shall not preclude the legal officer of the jurisdiction from instituting the appropriate action to restrain, correct or abate a violation, or to prevent illegal occupancy of a building, structure or premises, or to stop an illegal act, conduct, business or utilization of the building, structure or premises.
Notices & Orders
111.4 Notice
Whenever the code official determines that there has been a violation of this code or has grounds to believe that a violation has occurred, notice shall be giving in the manner prescribed in Sections 111.4.1 and 111.4.2 to the owner or the owner’s authorized agent, for the violation as specified in this code.
111.4.1 Form
Such notices shall be in accordance with all of the following:
- Be in writing
- Include a description of the real estate sufficient for identification
- Include a statement of the violation or violations and why the notice is being issued
- Include a correction order allowing a reasonable time to make the repairs and improvements required to bring the dwelling unit or structure into compliance with the provisions of this code
- Inform the property owner of the right to appeal
111.4.2 Method of Service
Such notice shall be deemed to be properly served if a copy thereof is:
- A copy is delivered personally.
- A copy is sent by certified or registered mail addressed to the owner at the last known address which the return receipt requested.
- A copy is delivered in any other manner as prescribed by local law.
If the certified or registered letter is returned showing that the letter was not delivered, a copy thereof shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice. Service of such notice in the fore-going manner upon the owner’s agent or upon the person responsible for the structure shall constitute service of notice upon the owner.
109.4 Violation penalties
Any person who shall violate a provision of this code, or fail to comply therewith, or with any of the requirements thereof, shall be prosecuted within the limits provided by state or local laws. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.
111.6 Transfer of Ownership
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dwelling unit or structure who has received a compliance order or upon whom a notice of violation has been serviced to sell, transfer, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of such dwelling unit or structure to another until the provisions of the compliance order or notice of violation have been complied with, or until such owner or the owner’s authorized agent shall first furnish the grantee, transferee, mortgagee or lessee a true copy of any compliance order or notice of violation issued by the code official and shall furnish to the code official a signed and notarized statement from the grantee, transferee, mortgagee or lessee, acknowledging the receipt of such compliance order or notice of violation and fully accepting the responsibility without condition for making the corrections or repairs required by such compliance order or notice of violation.