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What is the property maintenance code?

Exterior Property MaintenanceThe purpose of the Town of Greece Property Maintenance Law is to: Pr... (more)

Exterior Property Maintenance

The purpose of the Town of Greece Property Maintenance Law is to:

Preserve and improve Town appearance, quality of life, and citizen pride.
Prevent the gradual encroachment of blight, deterioration, unsightliness, and property devaluation.
Assure the safety, health, and welfare of the general public.

Areas Covered by the Property Maintenance Law

This law applies to all buildings and premises within the Town of Greece except publicly owned or controlled land. The ordinance applies to:

Vacant land and buildings.
Residential one, two, and multiple family dwellings, mixed occupancy, storage, and accessory buildings.
All buildings or land under construction or demolition.

General Exterior Property Maintenance

Lawns

All grass, weeds, or other plant growth must be cut or trimmed to avoid the development of places for the accumulation of blowing trash, dumping of trash or debris, rodent harborage or infestation, criminal activity, or places which constitute a blighting or unsightly influence on the neighborhood. Any trees, shrubs, hedges, and bushes, or portions thereof which are hazardous to persons or property must be trimmed or removed. Farms and open or wooded land are not required to be mowed.

Painting

Building exterior surfaces must be maintained in good condition. Surfaces not normally resistant to deterioration must be treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative.

Accessory Structures

Fences, walls, and other minor constructions must be maintained in a safe and substantial condition.

Property Access

Steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces, and similar paved areas must be maintained to allow safe and convenient passage.

Open Areas

Yards, courts, and vacant areas must be kept clean and free of hazards and refuse.

Garbage, Trash, and Junk

Accumulation of Garbage

The accumulation of garbage, trash or junk is not permitted except for normal weekly collection or when caused by construction or remodeling of a building or landscaping operations. Care must be taken to assure such accumulation isn’t unsightly and is removed immediately upon work completion or within a reasonable time after. Garbage and refuse must be placed in covered, watertight containers. Refuse may not be placed at the curb before 12:00 noon of the day preceding collection.

Definition

The definition of "junk" is any manufactured good, appliance, fixture, furniture, machinery, motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, trailer, or similar object which is abandoned, demolished, discarded, or generally unusable.

Garbage Collection

All premises are required to contract with a licensed garbage collection service.

Storage and Parking of Motor Vehicles

Storage

It is unlawful to store an unlicensed, wrecked, abandoned, or dismantled motor vehicle outdoors on any residential premises. (One motor vehicle which is driven for only part of the year may be issued a six (6) month storage permit by the Technical Services Department. The owner must be able to demonstrate that the vehicle is road worthy, and must be covered by a fitted commercial cover.) There are no restrictions on the garaging of any vehicles.

Parking

Motor vehicles and recreational vehicles may not be parked on the "tree lawn" or the area between the sidewalk and the curb except when the Town Winter Parking Ordinance is in effect between November 1 and April 15. Parking of motor vehicles may not interfere with the use of building exits, sidewalks, public rights of way, or adjoining premises. No vehicle may be stored in a public right of way.

Commercial Vehicles

One commercial vehicle of up to one (1) ton capacity may be parked at a residence.

Recreational Vehicles

Parking of recreational vehicles owned by a resident of the premises is permitted, provided that such vehicles are licensed and in condition for their intended use:

Recreational vehicles include, but are not limited to:

Travel and tent trailers
Pick up truck campers
Motor homes
Boats
Boat trailers
Snow vehicles
Racing vehicles
Cycle trailers
Utility trailers

Signs

Type

Signs in residential districts are limited to election signs, garage sale signs, building or lot for sale or rent signs, signs for roadside stands for sale of produce grown on the premises, and signs for major home occupations. Garage sale and realtor signs are restricted to one (1) sign of six (6) square feet or less.

Location

Signs may NOT be:

Attached to fences, trees, or utility poles.
Placed in the right of way (generally between the sidewalk and the curb).
Placed to impair or obstruct the vision of motorists.
Placed off the premises to which the sign refers.

Garage Sale Signs

Garage sale and other temporary signs must be removed within forty-eight (48) hours of the end of the event.

Additional information about both temporary and permanent signs can be obtained from clicking on "Permanent and Temporary Signs."

Building Address Numbers

Building numbers allow emergency vehicles to locate a dwelling quickly, and serve as well for the convenience of those trying to locate a building in non-emergency situations.

Address Numbers Must Be:

Securely mounted to a building’s front wall, entry-way from a public street, or main path leading to the main entrance from a public street.
Arabic (1, 2, 3, etc. not script or Roman numerals).
At least four (4) inches high in residential areas.
Between four (4) and ten (10) feet above grade.
Clearly visible from the street.

Pets

All pets must be kept in an appropriate manner and under control.
Up to three (3) dogs will be permitted per dwelling, not counting offspring less than four (4) months old, of any resident female dog.
Farm animals regardless of side, breed or species must be kept only on a farm.
Other animals may be kept as pets indoors, except cats, which may be kept outside.
Complaints about barking dogs or dogs running at large should be directed to the Town of Greece Animal Control (call 911).

Filling

Filling or the changing of established grades requires the approval of the Town Engineer and the Building Inspector. Filling may not obstruct natural or installed drainage. A permit may be required for filling. For information call the Town of Greece Engineering Department.

Zoning Violations

Please direct all inquiries regarding zoning violations to the Town of Greece, Technical Services Department.

Building Permits

Building permits are required for many common residential projects, including remodeling and conversions, additions, decks, fences, swimming pools and pool decks, gas appliances, and chimneys. Please contact the Town of Greece Technical Services Department for further information before starting your project.

Enforcement

Voluntary compliance is always preferred.

If a representative of the Technical Services Department determines that a building or premise is in violation of any code, rule, or regulation, notice will be made by either regular mail, personal service, or the posting of an order on the property. The notice will provide a specified number of days to comply. Failure to comply within the time specified, may result in the issuance of an official Notice and Order, and/or an Appearance Ticket for the Town Court. The Town may also have the necessary work performed to correct the violation(s) and bill the owner of the property for the cost of the work. Unpaid charges are added to the property tax bill.

Penalties

Any person convicted of a violation of the Property Maintenance Law may be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment not to exceed one (1) year, or both, for each violation. Each day that the violation continues constitutes a separate offense, and the penalties above are applicable to each offense.

Complaints

Any individual may anonymously register a complaint by visiting, writing, calling, or e-mailing the Constituent Services Department 225-2000. It is not necessary to provide identification. A Technical Services Department representative will conduct an on-site evaluation of the area in question to determine what action is warranted.

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