Chapter 135

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Chestertown 3-19-1973 (Article 7 of the 1973 Code); amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Planning Commission -- See Ch. 25.

Brush, grass and weeds -- See Ch. 54.

Building construction -- See Ch. 57.

Energy conservation -- See Ch. 73.

Garbage and trash removal -- See Ch. 85.

Historic area zoning -- See Ch. 93.

Subdivision of land -- See Ch. 148.

Water and sewers -- See Ch. 164.

Zoning -- See Ch. 170.

~ 135-1. Short title; purpose.

This chapter, enacted for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety and welfare in buildings used for dwelling purposes, shall be known as the "Property Maintenance Code of the Town of Chestertown."

~ 135-2. Adoption of standards by reference; copies on file; effect.

Pursuant to the provisions of ~ C2-8B(10) and (30) of the Municipal Charter of the town, there is hereby adopted, to be in effect within the corporate limits of the town, that volume known as the "BOCA Basic Property Maintenance Code/1981, Second Edition," and all subsequent amendments, additions and supplements, published by the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc., hereinafter designated the Property Maintenance Code. The provisions of the above-cited BOCA Basic Property Maintenance Code, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended, of which not less than three (3) copies have been and now are filed in the office of the Town Manager of the Town of Chestertown, are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, and from the date on which this chapter shall take effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling in the construction or alteration of all buildings and other structures within the corporate limits of the town.

~ 135-3. Enforcement official designated.

It shall be the duty and responsibility of the office of the Town Building Official, established in ~ 57-3 of Chapter 57, Building Construction, of the Code of the Town of Chestertown, to enforce the provisions of this Property Maintenance Code by establishing a general program of inspection and by carrying on such other activities as authorized in the Property Maintenance Code.

~ 135-4. Violations and penalties; compliance with any state or county regulations required.

A. Any person, firm, partnership or corporation who shall violate any provision of this chapter or of the Basic Property Maintenance Code or any provision of any rule or regulation adopted by the Mayor and Council or the Town Building Official pursuant to authority granted by said provisions shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars ($5.) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.) or by imprisonment for not less than one (1) day nor more than thirty (30) days, and each day's failure to comply with any such provision shall constitute a separate violation.

B. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to excuse any person, firm, partnership or corporation within the Town of Chestertown from complying with all laws and paying all fees which may be required under the laws and regulations of Kent County or the State of Maryland.