ORDINANCE NUMBER 38.000

THE TOWNSHIP OF HOLTON, COUNTY OF MUSKEGON, HEREBY ORDAINS:

38.001 Sec. 1 TITLE

This ordinance shall be known as the Holton Township Blight Ordinance.

38.002 Sec. 2 PURPOSE

The purpose of this ordinance is to govern the minimum conditions and responsibilities of persons for maintenance of structures, equipment and exterior property, occupied or vacant, as well as vacant land, to prevent the aforementioned from being a public hazard, nuisance, or a detriment to the quality of life of other property owners in the township.

38.003 Sec. 3 RESPONSIBILITY

The owner(s) of the premises shall maintain the structures and exterior property at their expense.

38.004 Sec. 4 DEFINITIONS

4.1 Exterior Property. The open space on the premises and on adjoining property under the control of owners or operators of such premises.
4.2 Garbage. The animal or vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food.
4.3 Infestation. The presence, within or contiguous to, a structure or premises of insects, rats, vermin or other pests.
4.4 Owner. Any person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the state, county or municipality as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court.
4.5 Pests. Rodents, vermin, insects, and other pests.
4.6 Rubbish. Combustible and noncombustible waste materials, except garbage; the term shall include the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke and other combustible materials, paper, rags, cartons, boxes, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin cans, metal or wood debris, mineral matter, glass, crockery, and dust and other similar materials.
4.7 Yard. An open space surrounding a dwelling or structure.
4.8 Vegetation. All plant growth.

38.005 Sec. 5 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS INCLUDING R1,R2,R3,AND R4 OR ANY OTHER PROPERTIES IN ANY DISTRICT BEING USED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.

5.1 All yards, interior, and exterior property shall be free and void of the accumulation of rubbish and garbage.
5.2 The exterior of all structures shall be free and void of rotting and defacement; must be structurally sound; and must be free and void of any health and safety hazard.
5.3 All structures shall be kept free from Pests. All structures in which Pests are found to have infested shall be promptly exterminated by commonly used processes that will not be injurious to human health.
5.4 All rubbish and garbage must be disposed of in a clean and sanitary manner by being placed in containers customary for such use.
5.5 All yard area within fifty (50) feet of any dwelling or structure that is visible from a public road or the yard of an adjacent property shall be free of vegetation that is more than eighteen (18) inches in height, excluding cultivated and maintained vegetation including trees and gardens.
5.6 All building materials, equipment, and recyclables stored outdoors must be stored in a clean, orderly, and safe manner; must not create an environmental hazard; and must have a footprint of less than one thousand (1000) square feet.
5.7 All fences, signs, yard ornaments, and other accessory objects must be maintained in good repair.

38.006 Sec. 6 Commercial Districts including C1,C2

6.1 All yards, interior, and exterior property shall be free and void of the accumulation of rubbish and garbage.
6.2 The exterior of all structures shall be free and void of rotting and defacement; must be structurally sound; and must be free and void of any health and safety hazard.
6.3 All structures shall be kept free from Pests. All structures in which Pest are found to have infested shall be promptly exterminated by commonly used processes that will not be injurious to human health
6.4 All rubbish and garbage must be disposed of in a clean and sanitary manner by being placed in containers customary for such use.
6.5 All yard area within fifty (50) feet of any dwelling or structure, parking areas, and sidewalks that are visible from public road or the yard of an adjacent property shall be free of vegetation that is more than eighteen (18) inches in height, excluding cultivated and maintained vegetation including trees and gardens.
6.6 All building materials, equipment, and recyclables stored outdoors must be stored in a clean, orderly, and safe manner; and must not create an environmental hazard.
6.7 All fences, signs, yard ornaments, and other accessory objects must be maintained in good repair.

38.007 Sec. 7 AGRICULTURAL.

7.1 All yards, interior, and exterior property shall be free and void of the accumulation of rubbish and garbage.
7.2
7.3
7.4 All rubbish and garbage must be disposed of in a clean and sanitary manner by being placed in containers customary for such use.
7.5 All yard area within fifty (50) feet of any dwelling, parking areas, and sidewalks that are visible from a public road or the yard of an adjacent property shall be free of vegetation that is more than eighteen (18) inches in height, excluding cultivated and maintained vegetation including trees and gardens.
7.6 All building materials, equipment and recyclables stored outdoors must be stored in a clean, orderly, and safe manner; and must not create an environmental hazard.
7.7 All fences, signs, yard ornaments, and other accessory objects must be maintained in good repair.

38.008 Sec. 8 FOREST RECREATIONAL.

8.1 All yards, interior, and exterior property shall be free and void of the accumulation of rubbish and garbage.
8.2 The exterior of all structures shall be free and void of rotting, defacement and broken glass; must be structurally sound; and must be free and void of any health and safety hazard.
8.3 All structures shall be kept free from Pests. All structures in which Pest are found to have infested shall be promptly exterminated by commonly used processes that will not be injurious to human health
8.4 All rubbish and garbage must be disposed of in a clean and sanitary manner by being placed in containers customary for such use.
8.5 All yard area within fifty (50) feet of any dwelling or structure that is visible from a public road or the yard of an adjacent property shall be free of vegetation that is more than eighteen (18) inches in height, excluding cultivated and maintained vegetation including trees, beds and gardens.
8.6 All building materials, equipment, and recyclables stored outdoors must be stored in a clean, orderly, and safe manner; must not create an environmental hazard; and must have a footprint of less than one thousand (1000) square feet.
8.7 All fences, signs, yard ornaments, and other accessory objects must be maintained in good repair.

38.009 Sec. 9 REPEAL

All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are repealed to the extent necessary to give this ordinance full effect.

38.010 Sec. 10 SEVERABILITY

This ordinance and its various parts, sentences and clauses are herby declared to be severable, and if any part, sentence, paragraph, section or clause is held to be invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of this ordinance as a whole.

38.011 Sec. 11 EFFECTIVE DATE

This ordinance shall take effect and be enforced thirty (30) days after its adoption and publication thereof.
Date:
Township Clerk ________________________________
Melanie Johnson

Introduced: January 13, 2015
Adopted: January 13, 2015
Published: January 23, 2015
Effective: February 22, 2015