§ 16.24.340. Exteriors of buildings and structures.

A.

General. The exterior of a building or structure shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound, and in a clean and sanitary condition so as not to pose a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare.

B.

Protective Treatment. All exterior surfaces, including but not limited to, doors, door and window frames, cornices, porches, trim, balconies, decks and fences shall be maintained in good condition. Exterior wood surfaces, other than decay resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by painting or other protective covering or treatment. Peeling, flaking, and or chipped paint shall be eliminated and the underlying surfaces shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint or other protective covering or treatment. All siding and masonry joints, as well as those between the building envelope and the perimeter of windows, doors, and skylights, shall be maintained weather resistant and water tight. All metal surfaces subject to rust or corrosion shall be coated to inhibit such rust and corrosion and all surfaces with rust or corrosion shall be stabilized and coated to inhibit future rust and corrosion. Oxidation stains shall be removed from exterior surfaces. Surfaces designed for stabilization by oxidation are exempt from this requirement.

C.

Premises Identification. All buildings and structures within Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County shall have approved address numbers posted in accordance with following:

1.

Residences are to have their numbers displayed on a contrasting background and in a position to be plainly visible and legible from the street or road fronting the property. The numbers may be attached to the residence or attached to the mailbox, provided the mailbox is next to the street.

2.

Numbers posted on the outside of nonresidential buildings must be six inches, or larger, on a contrasting background, and in a position to be plainly visible and legible from the street or road fronting the premises. Numbers posted on interior doors or spaces (such as a lease space in a mall) must be at least three inches in size.

3.

Multifamily buildings shall have their numbers displayed to be plainly visible and legible, on a contrasting background, and a minimum size of six inches in height. Identifying numbers, at least three inches in height shall also be posted on or at the doors of individual dwelling units.

D.

Structural Members. All structural members shall be maintained free from deterioration, and shall be capable of safely supporting the imposed dead and live loads.

E.

Foundation Walls. All foundation walls shall be maintained plumb and free from open cracks and breaks and shall be kept in such condition so as to prevent the entry of rodents and other pests.

F.

Exterior Walls. All exterior walls shall be free from holes, breaks, and loose or rotting materials, and shall be maintained weatherproof and properly surface coated where required to prevent deterioration.

G.

Roofs and Drainage. The roof and flashing shall be sound, tight, and not have defects that admit rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior portion of the building or structure. Roof drains, gutters, and downspouts shall be maintained in good repair and free from obstructions. Roof water shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a public nuisance.

H.

Decorative Features. All cornices, belt courses, corbels, terra cotta trim, wall facings and similar decorative features shall be maintained in good repair with proper anchorage and in a safe condition.

I.

Overhang Extensions. All overhang extensions including, but not limited to canopies, marquees, signs, metal awnings, fire escapes, standpipes, and exhaust ducts shall be maintained in good repair and shall be properly anchored so as to be in a sound condition. When required, all exposed surfaces of metal or wood shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather-coating materials, such as paint or other appropriate surface treatment.

J.

Stairways, Decks, Porches and Balconies. Every exterior stairway, deck, porch, and balcony, and all appurtenances attached thereto, shall be maintained structurally sound, in good repair, with proper anchorage, and shall be capable of supporting the imposed loads.

K.

Chimneys and Towers. All chimneys, cooling towers, smoke stacks, and similar appurtenances shall be maintained structurally safe and sound, and in good repair. All exposed surfaces of metal or wood shall be protected from the elements, decay, and or rust by periodic application of appropriate weather coating materials, such as paint or similar surface treatment.

L.

Handrails and Guards. Every handrail and guard shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition.

M.

Window, Skylight and Door Frames. Every window, skylight, door and frame shall be kept in sound condition, good repair, and weather tight.

N.

Glazing. All glazing materials shall be maintained free from cracks and holes.

O.

Openable Windows. Every window, other than a fixed window, shall open and close easily and shall be capable of being held in either position by window hardware.

P.

Insect Screens. During the period from April 1st to November 1st, every door, window and other outside opening required for ventilation of habitable rooms, food preparation areas, food service areas, or any areas where products to be included or utilized in food for human consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged or stored, shall be supplied with approved tightly fitting screens of not less than sixteen mesh per inch and every swinging door shall have a self-closing device in good working condition. Exceptions:

1.

Screen doors shall not be required where other approved means, such as air curtains or insect repellent fans are employed;

2.

Residential units having approved central heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Q.

Doors. All exterior doors, door assemblies, and hardware shall be maintained in good condition. Locks at all entrances to dwelling units, rooming units and guestrooms shall tightly secure the door. Locks on means of egress doors shall be in accordance with the requirements of Section 16.24.530 as follows: All means of egress doors shall be readily openable from the side from which egress is to be made without the need for keys or special knowledge, tools, or effort, except where the door conforms to that permitted by the building code.

R.

Basement Hatchways. Basement hatchways, bulkhead enclosures, and crawl space access doors shall be maintained to prevent the entrance of rodents, rain, and surface drainage water.

S.

Guards for Basement Windows. Every basement or cellar window, that is openable, shall be supplied with screens of standard-size mesh, or other approved protection against the entry of rodents.

T.

Defacement of Property. No person shall willfully or wantonly damage, mutilate, or deface any exterior surface of any building or structure, located on any private or public property, by placing thereon any marking, carving, or graffiti. It shall be the duty of the owner of the building, structure, and or real property on which the building or structure is located to restore said surface to an approved state of maintenance and repair.

U.

Boarding of Vacant Buildings.

1.

Whenever the director of the department of codes administration shall deem a vacant building or structure to be unsafe, or considered a hazard to the public health, safety or welfare, the director may order such building or structure to be locked, boarded or otherwise secured. Every person owning or having control of such vacant building or structure shall lock, board or otherwise secure all windows, doors and openings on the ground floor of the building to restrict entry by unauthorized persons.

2.

A vacant building that is boarded shall be boarded by using a minimum of three-eighths inch plywood, OSB, composite board or equivalent. Any board placed on a vacant building shall be painted a color that is consistent with the color of the structure using exterior grade paint, and shall be cut to fit into any windows, doors or other openings on such vacant building. Such boards shall be painted within fifteen days of being affixed to the structure. The director of the department of codes administration shall have the authority to waive the aesthetic requirements of this subsection U.2. in the event of a natural disaster or in the interest of public safety.

(Ord. BL2015-1015 § 1, 2015; Amdt. 1 to Ord. BL2007-40 § 1, 2008; Ord. BL2007-40 § 1, 2008; Ord. BL2001-585 § 1 (part), 2001)