Carbondale Title 4 Ch. 4 Housing Code § 4-4-7
STANDARDS FOR EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS
Operative Text
No person shall own or occupy or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit which does not comply with the following requirements; A. Free From Hazards: Exterior property areas shall be free from conditions which might create a health, accident or fire hazard, or which might endanger the public welfare, including but not limited to holes and excavations, sharp protrusions, barbed wire (unless 6 feet above the ground), sheer embankments, inoperative or abandoned vehicles or machinery, unused household goods or appliances and other objects or materials. Walks, steps, and driveways that contain holes or tripping hazards shall be filled, repaired, or replaced as necessary. Open wells, cesspools, septic tanks or cisterns shall be kept securely closed if in approved use. If they are not in approved use, they must be filled with natural soil. B. Free From Rubbish And Garbage: Disposal of rubbish and other refuse shall be done in accordance with all regulations of the City. C. Fences: All fences provided by the owner or agent on the premises and/or all fences erected by an occupant shall be constructed of manufactured metal fencing material, wood, masonry or other material. Such fences shall be maintained in good condition. Wood materials, other than decay-resistant wood, shall be protected against decay by use of paint or other preservative. Any paint or other protective material must be maintained free of deterioration, in sound condition and good repair. The permissible height and other characteristics of all fences shall conform to the appropriate statutes, ordinances and regulations of the City and State. Wherever any egress from the dwelling opens into the fenced area, there shall be a means of egress from the premises to any public way adjacent thereto. D. Accessory Structures: Accessory structures present or provided by the owner, agent or tenant occupant on the premises of a dwelling shall be structurally sound, and be maintained in good repair and free from insects and rats, or such structures shall be removed from the premises. The exterior of such structure shall be made weather resistant through the use of decay- resistant materials or the use of paint or other preservatives. Paint or other protective coverings must be maintained free of deterioration, in sound condition and good repair. E. Sewage: Sewage must be discharged into a public sewer system or an approved septic tank. Discharge of inadequately treated sewage shall not be permitted upon the surface of the ground or into any natural or artificial drainageway. F. Noxious Weeds: Exterior property areas shall be kept free of all weeds which are detrimental to the public health, including, but not limited to ragweed, poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. G. Insect And Rat Harborage: Where insect, rat or vermin breeding areas, harborage, or infestation exist, the same shall be eliminated. H. Storage Of Materials: In the event that occupancy usages would result in stacking or piling materials, the materials shall be so arranged as to prohibit the creation of a rat harborage area. Such shall be accomplished by orderly stacking and elevating so that there will be at least a twelve inch (12") opening between the material and the ground level. No stacking or piling of material shall take place against the exterior walls of the structure. (Ord. 84-103)
Carbondale Title 4 Ch. 4 Housing Code § 4-4-7 establishes a comprehensive set of exterior property standards that apply to all dwellings and dwelling units in the city. The rule prohibits hazardous conditions such as holes, sharp protrusions, abandoned vehicles, and noxious weeds, while also requiring proper sewage disposal, sound fences and accessory structures, and orderly storage of materials. Neither owners nor occupants may allow exterior areas to fall into conditions that threaten health, safety, fire safety, or public welfare.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Carbondale Title 4 Ch. 4 Housing Code § 4-4-7, compliant property operators routinely inspect exterior areas for hazards like excavations, abandoned machinery, and tripping hazards on walks and driveways, repairing or replacing them as needed. Owners and agents generally ensure that fences and accessory structures are built from approved materials, kept in good repair, and protected against decay with paint or preservatives. Sewage systems are directed to a public sewer or approved septic tank, stored materials are elevated at least twelve inches off the ground and kept away from exterior walls, and noxious weeds such as ragweed and poison ivy are removed to maintain compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Carbondale Title 4 Ch. 4 Housing Code § 4-4-7 establishes that occupants, not just owners, share responsibility for maintaining exterior property areas free from hazards, rubbish, noxious weeds, and vermin harborage. Tenants who observe conditions on their property that appear to violate these standards — such as unaddressed rat infestations, deteriorating fences, or improper sewage discharge — may have grounds to raise those conditions with the City of Carbondale's code enforcement or housing inspection office. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with local housing codes can help explain what options are generally available when exterior property conditions fall short of the standards set out in this provision.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.