Summit — Ch. 7-17 Rental Occupancy License Program § 7-17-13
Expenses Related To Nuisance Abatement
Operative Text
In addition to any penalty, fine or other remedy established by law or ordinance, all expenses incurred by the village in abating a nuisance at a building or structure that has been declared a public nuisance by the village shall be chargeable to and collected from the person who created, continued or permitted the nuisance to exist. These expenses may include, but are not limited to, the cost of personnel, equipment and materials, including firefighting personnel and equipment, used to abate the nuisance. It is not a defense to the payment of these expenses that the village may have otherwise experienced such costs in the ordinary course of business. (Ord. 20-O-03, 1-6-2020)
Under Summit Ch. 7-17 § 7-17-13, when the Village of Summit officially declares a building or structure a public nuisance and takes action to abate it, the Village may recover all costs it incurred during that abatement process from whoever created, continued, or allowed the nuisance to exist. Recoverable costs can include personnel time, equipment use, and materials — even firefighting resources. The fact that the Village might have incurred some of those costs anyway in its normal operations is not a valid reason to avoid payment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Summit's Rental Occupancy License Program should be aware that § 7-17-13 places direct financial responsibility for nuisance-abatement costs on the party found to have created or permitted the nuisance. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties proactively to prevent conditions that could lead to a public nuisance declaration, since abatement expenses — which can include firefighting personnel and equipment — are billed on top of any other fines or penalties. Keeping thorough maintenance records and responding promptly to code concerns are practices commonly associated with avoiding liability under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 7-17-13, the financial burden of nuisance abatement falls on whoever created, continued, or permitted the nuisance — a distinction that can matter to tenants if a landlord's neglect led to the declared nuisance. Tenants who believe a property condition was caused or worsened by a landlord's inaction may find it useful to document those conditions and communications carefully. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing authorities can help clarify how responsibility is assigned under Summit's Ch. 7-17 Rental Occupancy License Program and what options may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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