Pest Elimination of the Property Maintenance Code

Section 309

309.1

All structures must be kept pest-free. There are two main types of pests: nuisance bugs like flies, fleas, and cockroaches and cockroaches, and wood-destroying bugs like termites, beetles and carpenter ants. Nuisance bugs may require treatment with insect spray on a regular basis. If you’re dealing with wood-destroying bugs, you might need to poisoning the soil around your building. If you notice droppings, gnaw marks or oily rub stains left by rodents, it crucial to take action right away to prevent further infestation.  

309.2

It is the owner’s responsibility to take care of any pest issues before renting or leasing the place. A smart way to tackle this problem for the owner to have the building inspected before anyone moves in. That way, they can catch any potential pest problems early and take care of them.

309.3

In a single-family home or nonresidential unit with just one tenant, it’s the occupant’s responsibility to make sure the property doesn’t have any pest infestations. If you’re the occupant, it’s up to you to keep an eye out for signs of pests and take action to get rid of them.   

309.4

In multi-unit buildings like apartment complexes or nonresidential structures, the  owner has the responsibility to handle pest control in any common or shared areas of the property. If a pest infestation is found to have been caused by the occupant’s failure  to prevent it in their own unit, both the occupant and owner may need to work together to control and eliminate the pests. However, if the pest issue is limited to just one unit in a nonresidential structure, it becomes the occupant’s responsibility to take care of exterminating the pests. It’s important for both owners and occupants to be aware of their respective responsibilities when it comes to pest elimination. If a single unit in a business is infested, the occupant is responsible for extermination.

309.5

Occupants must keep their units clean and free of pests. If they fail to maintain their unit and an infestation occurs, the occupant is responsible for all extermination costs.   

On the other hand, if the infestation is a result of structural defects within the building, then it becomes the owner’s responsibility to handle pest elimination. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining the structural integrity of the building to prevent pest issues.   

It is crucial for both occupants and owners to fulfill their respective responsibilities to ensure a clean and pest-free living or working environment. 

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