MAINTENANCE STANDARDS

Charlotte City Code ch. 5, art. II, div. 3

in effect

Charlotte City Code § 5-46 Maintenance standards in general.

Sec. 5-46. - Maintenance standards in general. Only electrical, mechanical and plumbing devices and systems which are (i) intended to be used at the time of inspection; (ii) being used at the time of inspection; or (iii) required by law at the time of inspection are subject to the applicable portions of this article. Upon discovery of any possible violation related to provisions of the North Carolina Fire Code, including fire protection and life-safety systems, a referral shall be made to the Charlotte Fire Department, fire marshal's office for inspection and enforcement. (Ord. No. 4274, § 1, 9-28-2009; Ord. No. 73, § 1(Exh. A), 5-24-2021)

Charlotte City Code § 5-47 External maintenance standards.

Sec. 5-47. - External maintenance standards. (a) Exit requirements. (1) Minimum number of exits shall conform to the requirements of the state building code as applicable. (2) Every stairway, deck, porch, and balcony, and all appurtenances attached thereto, including without limitation, handrails and guardrails, shall be maintained in a structurally sound condition, in good repair. Each shall be properly anchored and capable of supporting live or dead loads. (b) Electrical facilities. (1) No receptacles, ceiling fixtures, or other fixtures shall be hanging loose, unless designed and rated for that purpose. (2) All switches and receptacles shall be safe. (3) There shall be no unsafe wiring. (4) There shall be no drop or extension cords in excess of six feet in length used in place of permanent wiring. (5) No circuits shall be overloaded. (6) Fuses shall be sized correctly and not bridged out. (7) All wiring shall be in accordance with the National Electrical Code. (8) All breaker boxes, wiring, junction boxes, busways, or other electrical enclosures shall be in good condition and maintained to prevent shock hazard. (c) Exterior walls. (1) There shall be no unsafe wall conditions such that the plumbline from the top center of studs falls outside the base plate at any point along the wall. (2) Maximum spacing for studding, providing they show signs of being weak or overloaded, shall comply with the requirements of the state building code. (3) Studs or other structural members shall be structurally sound and not likely to cause structural weakness in the future. (4) There shall be no broken or cracked structural members. (5) All siding shall be reasonably weathertight, with no holes or excessive cracks or decayed boards, or siding material. (6) There shall be no loose siding. (7) There shall be no deterioration because of lack of preventative maintenance consisting of painting, waterproofing and repair. (8) All door fenestration shall be in operable condition. (d) Roofs. (1) All structural members shall be maintained free from deterioration, and shall be capable of safely supporting the dead and live loads, including rafters and ceiling, or floor joists. (2) The roof and flashing shall be sound, tight and not have defects which admit water or rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to prevent dampness or deterioration in the walls or interior of the structure. Roof drains, gutters, scuppers, and downspouts shall be maintained in good repair, and free from obstructions. Roof water shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a health or safety hazard. (e) Porches, vestibules and external covered areas. (1) The floor, ceiling, and roof shall be equal to requirements set forth in this article, except sills, joists and floors need not be level if providing drainage of floors; floors need not be weathertight. (2) Every stairway, deck, porch and balcony, and all appurtenances attached thereto, including, without limitation, handrails and guardrails, shall be maintained in a structurally sound condition, in good repair. Each shall be properly anchored, and capable of supporting imposed loads. (f) Windows, where provided, including frames, sash components, and glazing shall be maintained in good condition, with no broken, cracked, or missing glazing. (g) Property maintenance. (1) Building structure. Exterior wood surfaces not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative with sufficient frequency to prevent deterioration. (2) Open areas. There shall be no heavy undergrowth or accumulation of plant growth which is noxious or detrimental to health, or because it is overgrown, may provide harborage for criminal activity. (3) Infestation. Grounds, buildings and structures shall be maintained free of infestation by rodents, insects and other pests. (4) 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 and against decay or rust by periodic application of weather coating materials, such as paint or similar surface treatment. (Ord. No. 4274, § 1, 9-28-2009; Ord. No. 73, § 1(Exh. A), 5-24-2021)

Charlotte City Code § 5-48 Interior maintenance standards.

Sec. 5-48. - Interior maintenance standards. In general. The interior of a structure, including wall and ceiling coverings, and equipment therein shall be maintained in good order, shall be structurally sound, and be in a sanitary condition. Occupants shall keep that part of the building or structure which they occupy or control in a clean and sanitary condition. (a) Exit requirements. Minimum number of exits shall conform to the requirements of the state building code as applicable. (b) Plumbing systems and facilities. (1) In general, all fixtures and piping shall be properly installed and maintained in working order, and shall be kept free from obstructions, leaks and defects. All plumbing shall be capable of performing the function for which such plumbing fixtures are designed. All plumbing fixtures shall be maintained in a safe, sanitary and functional condition. (2) Plumbing fixtures shall have adequate clearance for usage and cleaning. (3) Where it is found that a plumbing system in a building or structure creates an unsafe condition that is hazardous to the occupants, or by reason of inadequate service, inadequate venting, cross connection, backsiphonage, improper installation deterioration or damage, or for similar reasons, the code enforcement official shall require the defects to be corrected to eliminate the unsafe condition. (c) Heating facilities. (1) Building shall be weatherproof. (2) Heating systems shall be maintained in good order and repair and shall be of sufficient capacity so as to heat all occupied areas in accordance with the state building code. (3) All safety controls and all clearances to combustible materials for electrical equipment which produces heat shall be maintained in effective operation. (4) Other heating facilities, where provided, shall meet the requirements of the state building code. (5) All electric, gas and heating oil heating equipment installed on the property shall be listed by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. or American Gas Association and installed in accordance with the provisions of the state building code. (6) All mechanical appliances, including ventilation and air conditioning or cooling systems, or appliances shall be properly installed and maintained in a safe working condition, and shall be capable of performing the intended function. (7) All fuel burning equipment or appliances shall be connected to an approved chimney or vent. Fuel burning equipment and appliances labeled for unvented use are an exception to this requirement. (8) All required clearances to combustible materials shall be maintained. (9) All safety controls for fuel burning equipment shall be maintained in effective operation. (d) Electrical facilities. (1) No receptacles, ceiling fixtures, or other fixtures shall be hanging loose unless designed and rated for that purpose. (2) All switches and receptacles shall be safe. (3) There shall be no unsafe wiring. (4) There shall be no drop or extension cords in excess of six feet in length used in place of permanent wiring. (5) No circuits shall be overloaded. (6) Fuses shall be sized correctly and not bridged out. (7) All wiring shall be in accordance with the National Electrical Code. (e) Structural standards. (1) Foundation. a. Beneath the building or structure there shall be firm ground, which is reasonably dry, properly drained and no water shall be running under the building or structure. b. There shall be sound footings and adequate bearing. c. There shall be sound piers and no loose mortar or masonry. d. There shall be no piers in which the plumbline from the top center falls outside the middle one-third of the pier base. e. There shall be no isolated masonry piers exceeding in height ten times the least dimension of the pier. f. There shall be no wood stiff-knee piers. (2) Floors. a. Flooring shall be weathertight without holes or excessive cracks which permit air to penetrate rooms. b. Flooring or floor covering shall be reasonably smooth and not decayed, fire damaged or worn through. c. There shall be no loose flooring. d. Floors shall be reasonably level. e. All structural members shall be maintained free from deterioration, and shall be capable of safely supporting the dead and live loads. (3) Interior load bearing walls. a. There shall be no unsafe wall conditions such that the plumbline from the top center studs falls outside the base plate at any point along the wall. b. Maximum spacing for studding, providing the studs show signs of being weak or overloaded, shall comply with the requirements of the state building code. c. Studs or other structural members, including posts and columns, shall be structurally sound and not likely to cause structural weaknesses in the future. d. There shall be no broken or cracked structural members. (4) Interior porches, landings and vestibules. a. The floor and ceiling shall be equal to the requirements set forth in this article. b. Every stairway, deck, porch and balcony and all appurtenances attached thereto, including, without limitation, handrails and guardrails, shall be maintained in a structurally sound condition and in good repair. c. Any interior porch, landing or vestibule shall be properly anchored and capable of supporting live and dead loads. (Ord. No. 4274, § 1, 9-28-2009; Ord. No. 73, § 1(Exh. A), 5-24-2021)

Charlotte City Code § 5-49 Property maintenance standards.

Sec. 5-49. - Property maintenance standards. (a) Building structure. Storage of combustible materials is prohibited unless the building or structure is designed for that purpose. (b) Open areas. (1) Surface and subsurface water shall be appropriately drained to protect buildings and structures and to prevent development of stagnant pools. (2) Fences, sheds, signs, outbuildings, and other accessory buildings shall be maintained in a safe and functional condition or removed or demolished. (3) Yards, courts, parking lots, and driveways shall be kept clean and free of physical hazards, garbage, junk, junked vehicles, vehicle parts and other similar material. (4) There shall be no heavy undergrowth or accumulation of plant growth which is noxious or detrimental to health, or because it is overgrown, may provide harborage for criminal activity. (5) There shall be adequate lighting to prevent harborage for criminal activity. (c) Infestation. Grounds, buildings and structures shall be maintained free of infestation by rodents, insects and other pests. (d) Garbage. There shall be adequate sanitary facilities and methods for the storage, handling and disposal of garbage generated on or by the property. (e) Storm drainage. Drainage of paved areas, yards, courts and other open areas on the property shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a health or safety hazard. (Ord. No. 4274, § 1, 9-28-2009)

Charlotte City Code § 5-50 Vacant buildings or structures.

Sec. 5-50. - Vacant buildings or structures. (a) The interior maintenance standards set forth in section 5-48 shall not apply to vacant nonresidential buildings or structures unless one or more of the following serious conditions is present on the property: (1) Overall conditions present a serious health or safety hazard. (2) The building or structure is a breeding area for rodents or insects. (3) The building or structure presents a fire hazard. (4) The building or structure is structurally unsafe and presents a threat to the safety of code enforcement personnel, fire department personnel and law enforcement officers or members of the general public. (5) The building or structure is frequented by vagrants. (6) The building or structure is not properly secured to prevent unauthorized access. (b) If the code enforcement official orders a nonresidential building or structure vacated and closed pursuant to this article, the owner shall board and secure such building or structure in accordance with the guidelines for boarding and securing a building or structure provided by the code enforcement official. (Ord. No. 4274, § 1, 9-28-2009)

Source: City of Charlotte, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/charlotte/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH5BUBURE_ARTIIRENOBUST_DIV3MASTFetched: 10/27/2026