Colfax Municipal Code Art. I Nuisances Generally

The purpose of this chapter is to preserve locally recognized values of community appearance to safeguard and enhance property values in residential, commercial and industrial areas. The intent of this chapter is to protect public investment in the character of public thoroughfares; to aid in the attraction of tourists and other visitors who are important to the economy of the city; to reduce hazards to motorists and pedestrians traveling on the public way; and to thereby promote the public health, safety and welfare.

(Ord. 454 (part), 1999: prior code § 9-4.101 (part))

For the purpose of this chapter, a "nuisance" shall be any use, activity, structure or condition found to exist to be a hazard to the public health, safety or welfare of the community.

(Ord. 454 (part), 1999: prior code § 9-4.101 (part))

It is unlawful for any person owning, leasing, renting, occupying or having charge or possession of any property in the city to maintain or to allow to be maintained in such manner that any of the following conditions are found to exist, except as may be allowed by this code. Except as otherwise specifically noted, a condition described herein is declared a nuisance if existing for a period of ten (10) days.

A. The accumulation of dirt, litter or debris on the property which is visible from a public street;

B. Clotheslines or clothes hanging in front yards, side yards, porches or balconies and visible from a public street at any time;

C. Trash, garbage or refuse cans, bins, boxes or other such containers stored in front or side yards and visible from a public street, except when concealment is an unreasonable burden on the business or residence affected;

D. Packing boxes, lumber, junk, trash, salvage materials or other debris kept on the property for thirty (30) days and visible from a public street;

E. Attractive nuisances dangerous to children and visible from a public street, including abandoned, broken or neglected equipment, machinery, refrigerators and freezers, hazardous pools, ponds and excavations at any time;

F. Broken or discarded furniture, household equipment and furnishings or shopping carts stored on the property for thirty (30) days and visible from a public street;

G. Overgrown vegetation likely to harbor rats, vermin and other nuisances causing detriment to neighboring properties or property values or obstructing necessary views of drivers on public streets or private driveways and visible from a public street;

H. Dead, decayed, diseased or hazardous trees, weeds or other vegetation constituting unsightly appearance, dangerous to public safety and welfare or detrimental to neighboring properties or property value and visible from a public street;

I. Graffiti, letters or drawings which remain on the exterior of any building, fence or wall;

J. Buildings where the paint on the building exterior is mostly worn off or not in compliance with the general plan design element, established design guidelines or historic design guidelines and any amendments and visible from a public street for sixty (60) days;

K. Boats, trailers, vehicle parts or other articles of personal property which are abandoned or left in a state of partial construction or repair for thirty (30) days in front yards, side yards, driveways, sidewalks or walkways and are visible from a public street;

L. Camper shells which are left for an unreasonable length of time in front yards, driveways, side yards, sidewalks or walkways are visible from a public street;

M. Buildings which are abandoned, boarded up, partially destroyed or left in a state of partial construction for sixty (60) days and subject to applicable Uniform Building Codes and city codes which specify time periods;

N. Abandoned vehicles pursuant to Chapter 16: Roads and Traffic, Abandoned Vehicle Ordinance of the Placer County Code and any amendments made thereto and incorporated by reference herein.

(Ord. 454 (part), 1999: prior code § 9-4.102)

Any property found to be maintained in violation of Section 8.16.030 of this chapter is declared to be a public nuisance and shall be abated by rehabilitation, removal, demolition or repair pursuant to the procedures set forth herein. The procedures for abatement set forth herein shall not be exclusive and shall not in any manner limit or restrict the city from enforcing other city ordinances or abating public nuisances in any other manner provided by law.

(Ord. 454 (part), 1999: prior code § 9-4.103)