Stamford, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 146 § 146-45

For the purpose of this article, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:
Anti-Blight Officer shall mean an individual appointed by the Mayor to enforce the provisions of this article.
Blighted Property or Blighted Properties shall mean, as the case may be, any building or structure, or any part of a building or structure that is a separate unit, or a vacant parcel of land in which at least one (1) of the following conditions exist: (1)
It is determined by the City's Chief Building Official or by its Director of Health that existing conditions pose a serious or immediate danger to the community, i.e., a life-threatening condition or a condition which puts at risk the health or safety of citizens of the city.
(2) It is not being adequately maintained; without limitation, the following factors may be considered in determining whether a structure or building is not being adequately maintained: missing or boarded windows or doors; collapsing or missing walls, roof or floor; siding that is seriously damaged or missing; fire damage; damaged, decaying, or deteriorating condition that could allow vermin or other wildlife interior access; a foundation that is structurally faulty; garbage, trash or abandoned motor vehicles situated on the property (unless the property is a junkyard legally licensed by the State of Connecticut).
(3) It has been cited for violations of State statutes and/or State regulations, Stamford Charter or Code provisions, or zoning regulations, or conditions to permits granted by the Zoning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Environmental Protection Agency and Health Department, which violations have not been corrected.
(4) It has become a place where criminal activity has taken place as documented by Police Department reports.
(5) It is a fire hazard as determined by the Fire Marshal or as documented in Fire Department reports.
(6) It is a factor creating a substantial and unreasonable risk of interference with the reasonable and lawful use and enjoyment of other space within the building or other properties within the Neighborhood as documented by Neighborhood complaints, or cancellation of insurance on proximate properties.
(7) It is a factor that is seriously depreciating property values in the Neighborhood.
(8) It contains unauthorized outside storage or accumulation of junk, trash, rubbish, boxes, paper, plastic or refuse of any kind; the parking of inoperable motor vehicles, boats, motorcycles or other inoperable machinery on the property or the public right of way. For the purposes of this article "authorized" shall pertain to local, state or federal laws and/or regulations.
(9) It has been vandalized, or otherwise damaged to the extent that it is seriously depreciating property values in the Neighborhood.
(10) It contains a Property Maintenance Violation as defined by this Section.
Building Official shall mean the building official as defined in Connecticut General Statutes Section 29-260 and Section C5-30-6 of the City Charter.
Dilapidated shall mean a building or structure or any part thereof that would not receive a certificate of occupancy if applied for, regardless of whether one had been previously issued.
Housing Blight shall mean the existence of a Blighted Property, whether residential or commercial, within the same Neighborhood as a residential property or properties.
Invasive Plant shall mean a non-native plant that exhibits an aggressive growth habit whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm to the environment or human health as determined by the Invasive Plants Council in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes § 22a-381, et seq.
Landscape Professional shall mean either a Landscape Architect licensed by the Department of Consumer Protection in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes § 20-367, et seq.; or an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional that has satisfied all accreditation requirements with the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Organic Land Care Program and whom is listed on the NOFA website; or a Certified Professional Ecologist with a current certification issued by the Ecological Society of America (ESA) and whom is listed on the ESA website in the directory of Certified Professional Ecologists.
Managed Natural Meadow Landscape shall mean a planned, intentional, and maintained planting of primarily native grasses, wildflowers, ferns, sedges, shrubs, or trees. A Managed Natural Meadow Landscape shall not include Turf Grass that has reached a height greater than nine (9) inches. The provisions of this section are not intended to allow a property owner to avoid Property Maintenance responsibilities as set forth herein.
Native Plant shall mean a plant that is a part of the balance of nature that has developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular region or ecosystem as defined by Natural Resources Conservation Service of Connecticut.
Neighborhood shall mean an area of the city comprised of all properties or parcels of land, any part of which is within a radius of four hundred (400) feet of any part of another parcel or lot within the city.
Non-native Plant shall mean a plant that has been introduced to Connecticut.
Noxious Weed shall mean any annual, biennial, or perennial weed or plant that adversely effects and/or threatens agricultural or horticultural crops, natural habitats or ecosystems, or humans or livestock.
Property Maintenance Violation (a)
Property Maintenance Violation shall mean the violation of the following standards with respect to lots or parcels:
(1) All premises shall be graded, drained, kept free of persistent standing water and maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. Surface and subsurface water shall be appropriately drained to prevent the development of stagnant ponds.
(2) No shopping baskets, carts or wagons shall be left unattended or standing, and the baskets, carts or wagons shall be collected as often as necessary and removed to an appropriate enclosure intended for such purpose or to the interior of the building or buildings from which they were taken.
(3) All fences shall be maintained. Such maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, painting as needed, removal or covering of graffiti, and the replacement or repair of fences which may become in disrepair.
(4) All landscaping shall be maintained so that lawns, hedges, bushes and trees shall be kept neatly and free from becoming overgrown and unsightly where exposed to public view and where the same may have a tendency to depreciate adjoining property. The maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, the replacement of trees and shrubs which may die or otherwise be destroyed. Grass, weeds or similar growths shall not reach a height greater than nine (9) inches on any premises. Front yards shall not be allowed to deteriorate into unattended bare, dirt patches.
(5) The planting strip fronting the premises shall be maintained in a safe condition, neat, mowed as necessary, and free of litter, poison ivy, ragweed, and other noxious plant.
(6) Steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas shall be maintained to afford safe passage under normal use and weather conditions. Any holes or other hazards that may exist shall be filled and necessary repairs andreplacement accomplished. All off-street parking facilities shall be swept as often as necessary in the determination of the Anti-Blight Officer.
(7) Yards, courts and vacant lots shall be kept clean and free of physical hazards, rodent harborage and infestation, and shall be maintained in a manner that will prevent accumulations of trash, garbage, litter, debris and rubbish. The owner of the property shall maintain the premises litter-free, and shall remove discarded or inoperative appliances, furnishings or machinery.
(8) All signs exposed to the public view shall be maintained in good repair. Excessively weathered or faded signs shall be removed or put into good repair. A non-operative or broken electrical or other sign shall be repaired or removed.
(9) Refuse and recycling receptacles shall be emptied on a regular basis and shall be removed from the street or curb within two (2) days following collection.
(10) All places of business that serve food or drink to patrons (e.g., restaurants, cafes, bars, etc.) shall maintain receptacle(s) for the disposal of cigarettes on their premises and shall empty the receptacle(s) on a regular basis.
(b) Property maintenance violations shall also mean the violation of the following standards with respect to buildings and structures:
(1) The exterior of buildings and structures shall be maintained so that it is not dilapidated, deteriorating, or decaying, nor open to the elements. The following factors may be considered in determining whether a building or structure is being maintained: missing or boarded windows or doors; collapsing or missing walls, roof or floor; exterior walls which contain holes, breaks, loose or rotting materials or the presence of graffiti, or exterior walls which are not properly surface-coated to prevent deterioration; siding that is seriously damaged or missing; foundation walls which contain open cracks or leaks or are structurally faulty; overhang extensions, including but not limited to canopies, signs, awnings, stairways, fire escapes, standpipes and exhaust ducts which contain rust or other decay; chimneys and other appurtenances which are in a state of disrepair; and insect screens which contain tears or ragged edges.
(2) The foundation walls of every building shall be maintained in good repair and in a structurally sound condition.
(3) Foundations, floors, and walls shall be in good painted or finished condition without peeling.
(4) Exterior walls (including doors and windows), roofs, and the areas around doors, windows, chimneys and other parts of a building shall be maintained as to keep water from entering the building and to prevent undue heat loss from occupied areas. Materials which have been damaged or show evidence of dry rot or other deterioration shall be repaired or replaced and refinished in a workmanlike manner. Exterior walls, roofs and other parts of the building shall be free from loose and unsecured objects and material. Such objects and materials shall be removed, repaired or replaced.
(5) Buildings and structures shall be maintained free of insect, vermin, bird, rodent, and other wildlife harborage and infestation.
(6) Buildings and structures shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from health, safety and fire hazards.
(7) All storefronts, both occupied and non-occupied, and their walls exposed to public view shall be kept in a good state of repair and free of graffiti.
(c) Property maintenance violations shall also include any conditions which unreasonably hinder the use of adjacent properties, block or interfere with the use of the public sidewalk and/or public or private street or right of way, or obstruct the sighting of any road sign, obstruct utility lines or other cables to or around the premises, or extend or infringe beyond the boundaries of the premises.
(d) Property maintenance violations shall also include situations in which the overall condition of the premises causes an unreasonable impact on the enjoyment of or value of neighboring properties as expressed by a complaint(s) from adjoining and nearby property owners.
Turf Grass shall mean a grass commonly used in regularly cut lawns or play areas (such as, but not limited to, bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass blends), maintained in accordance with section 146-45 (a)(4).
Unit shall mean any space within a building that is or can be rented by a tenant for his/her or its sole use, and is intended to be a single and distinct space.
Vacant and/or Abandoned shall mean that a building or structure or any part thereof, or land, is not legally occupied for a period of sixty (60) days or longer.
Vacant Parcel shall mean a parcel of land with no intact building structure(s) thereon.