New Port Richey residents that have had issues with the appearance of blight could soon get relief, under ordinance changes proposed by City Manager Debbie Manns on Tuesday. Ms. Manns spoke to what she believed were ongoing problems with the code enforcement situation in the City.

Blight is observable in the community at different levels. When even moderate Blight exists and it’s not remedied it creates a strong probability that severe blight is going to occur.

To address the issue, Ms. Manns is proposing a number of amendments to New Port Richey’s current Property Management Standards.

1. Outlines responsibility for tenants (under lease terms) or residents to keep common property areas shared between units clean and clear of debris.
2. Explicitly requires that vacant land be “maintained in a clean condition and not adversely affect public health” or attribute to blight.
3. Requires that all residential properties have working plumbing fixtures and that all appliances and fixtures be capable of conducting the use for which they were intended.
4. Limits the period that a damaged roof may be tarped to three months. Removing and then reapplying the tarp doesn’t extend the three month period
   1. Exemption for natural disaster, will be limited to six months.
5. Windows and Doors may be covered with wood, but only for a period of six months. The wood must be painted to match the facade of the building.
   1. Does not apply to hurricane shutters, but shutters must be removed within three days of the end of the “weather event.”
6. All mechanical appliances, cooking, heating and cooling equipment will be required to be properly installed and maintained and be capable of performing the intended function.
7. Changes height limit of grass or weeds from the previous 12 inches to six inches.
8. Prohibits the “accumulation” (storage) of boats or vehicles that are unlicensed, unregistered, inoperable, or disassembled–including the process of painting– or in disrepair, unless within an approved enclosed building. Also prohibits outdoor storage of appliances.
9. Requires property owners or tenants to maintain properties up to the curb or the halfway point of alleys.
10. “Glazed openings” must be kept watertight and rodent proof.
11. Prohibits vegetation which shows signs of neglect, shows infestation dangerous to other plant material, is not maintained, or is not trimmed.

A number of other language changes were present in Ms. Mann’s modification of the ordinance, but these others served only for clarification.

Read the proposed ordinance in full here.