Countryside Title 8 Ch. 14 Residential Rental Housing § 8-14-5-2

No Rental Residential Unit shall be occupied or continued to be occupied unless the structure in which said Unit is located complies with the provisions and standards of the City Code and all adopted codes and is maintained in a structurally sound condition and kept free from health, fire and other hazards to life and property.


A. General Repair: The owner of the Rental Residential Unit shall be responsible for keeping the premises maintained in good repair and fit for human habitation, which shall include the building’s interior and exterior and all living areas. Repairs may require obtaining proper City building permits.


B. Exterior and Site: The building exterior and sites which Rental Residential Units are located shall be maintained to all City Codes including but not limited to:


1. Building Exterior envelope: walls, roof, soffits, doors windows etc.


2. Building address (See 5-8-4-3 item # 12f. of this Code).


3. Landscaping.


4. Parking lot spaces and access aisle repair and maintenance.


5. Roof and site water drainage of an “approved” design.


6. Public and private sidewalks.


C. Exterior Balconies: Exterior balconies and porches may not be used as storage areas. Only seasonal items, such as patio chairs, tables and grills (if allowed by property owner) is allowed.


D. Equipment Safety and Maintenance:


1. Every facility, piece of equipment, utility or service which is required under this Code shall be so constructed and/or installed to function safely and effectively and shall be maintained in satisfactory working condition and shall not be removed, shut off or disconnected in any occupied Rental Residential Unit except for such temporary interruptions as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process or during temporary emergencies or tenant’s failure to pay agreed upon services. Utilities or services shared by more than one Unit shall be the owner’s responsibility to maintain.


2. All equipment, appliances and apparatuses in a rental unit shall be functioning and in working order at the time of a lease and/or occupancy and shall be maintained by the landlord/property owner in proper functioning condition. A landlord’s responsibility is to repair or remedy any condition that materially affects the physical health and safety of an ordinary tenant.


E. Rodents, insects, and other pests:


1. All structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. All Rental Residential Property shall be treated by a licensed pest control company annually. Receipts or reports must be made available upon request to the City authorized inspector. All structures in which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. If upon inspection there is an insect or rodent infestation in more than one Dwelling Unit, the Owner shall be required to contract with a licensed extermination company to treat all common areas and infested units not less than on a monthly basis for twelve (12) consecutive months.


2. A tenant shall cooperate with the landlord/property owner in the control, treatment and eradication of all rodent or insect infestation found, or reasonably suspected to be, in the tenant’s rental unit. This includes making any necessary preparations, such as cleaning, vacuuming or removing personal property for proper treatment recommended by the licensed pest control operator.


F. Garbage Containers: Providing for garbage and rubbish removal and supplying such facilities or containers as are necessary for the sanitary disposal of all garbage and rubbish is a condition of occupancy. Such exterior containers shall be enclosed on three (3) sides with appropriate materials for appearance and the containers must be emptied at a frequency so that garbage and rubbish does not overflow provided containers.


G. Interior Storage: In a common area, patio, balcony, hallway, stairwell, or in any living areas, it shall be unlawful to:


1. Accumulate and store building materials, lumber, boxes, cartons, scrap mental, machinery, junk, flammable or hazardous materials, excessive clothing, furniture, supplies, large amount of packed containers or devices in such quantities or in such a manner as to create a fire, health, or other hazard to the premises or persons residing therein.


2. Store gasoline and similar combustible liquids; if stored in a multi-family dwelling must be locked in an approved fire resistant cabinet.


3. Store a motorcycle, moped, gasoline powered lawnmower, snow blower, or other similar equipment which may contain a hazardous material including, without limitation, gasoline.


4. Storage under any interior building stairwell is not allowed. All pathways to exits must be free and clear of any storage. Shoes, strollers, cleaning equipment, etc. may not be stored in common hallways of multi-unit buildings.


H. Public Utilities: Water, electric, and natural gas utilities must be made available and operational in buildings and Rental Residential Units for occupancy approval. (Ord. 21-36-O, 9-22-2021)