Dayton Township
Proposed Blight Elimination Ordinance No. __________ An ordinance to prevent, reduce or eliminate blight, blighting factors or causes of blight within Dayton Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; to provide for the enforcement hereof; and to provide penalties for the violation hereof. Pursuant to the enacting authority therefore provided by Public Act 344 of 1945, as amended, the Blighted Area Rehabilitation ACT (MCL 125.71, et. seq.).

THE TOWNSHIP OF DAYTON, TUSCOLA COUNTY, ORDAINS: Section 1. – Purpose
Consistent with the letter and spirit of Public Act 344 of 1945, as amended, it is the purpose of this Ordinance to prevent, reduce, or eliminate blight or potential blight in Dayton Township by the prevention or elimination of contributing factors and causes of blight which exist or which may in the future exist in Dayton Township.

Section 2. – Definition
Blight is defined as any condition, circumstance or state of being which serves to lower, impair, or reduce the true market value of real or personal property through negligence or damage, intentionally or unintentionally; or any condition, circumstance or state of being which serves to pose a hazard to the health, safety, or well being of any or all residents of Dayton Township.

Section 3. – Causes of Blight or Blighting Factors
It is hereby determined that the following uses, structures, and activities are causes of blight or blighting factors which, if allow to exist, will tend to result in blighted and undesirable areas and threaten the public health, safety and welfare. On and after the effective date of this Ordinance, no person, firm, corporation, or entity of any kind shall maintain or allow to be maintained any of these causes of blight or blighting factors upon any property in Dayton Township owned, leased, rented, or occupied by such person, firm, or corporation or entity except as may otherwise be permitted by the holding of specific business license or by other ordinances of Dayton Township. Conditions of blight as defined within this Ordinance shall include but not be limited to:

A. In any area zoned high density residential the existence of a blighted structure, dwelling, or property. The conversion of a dwelling into a storage facility or other usage shall not negate compliance with this ordinance. A dwelling which is not in compliance with this ordinance shall either be modified to achieve compliance or disposed of in compliance with the regulations of the DEQ

For the purpose of this ordinance the term “blighted structure” shall include any dwelling, garage, accessory, or outbuilding, or any shop, store, office building, warehouse, or any other structure or part of a structure which, because of fire, wind, or other natural disaster, or physical deterioration, is no longer habitable as a dwelling, nor useful for the purpose for which it may have been intended. The utilities, plumbing, heating, or sewerage have been disconnected, destroyed, removed, or rendered ineffective for a period of 1 year or more so that the structure is unfit for its intended use. The structure is an attractive nuisance because of physical condition is unsecured; broken doors, windows, collapse or other loss of structure has code violations posing severe and immediate health and safety threats. The structure has remained vacant for 5 consecutive years and is not maintained in accordance with applicable local housing or property maintenance codes or ordinances.

For the purpose of this ordinance the term “dwelling” shall include any building, or portion thereof, which is designed or used exclusively for residential purposes. In no case shall a motor home, trailer coach, automobile chassis, tent, or portable building be considered a dwelling.

For the purpose of this ordinance the term “blighted property” shall include the unintended growth of weeds and/ or grasses in excess of 14 inches in length which compromise a hazard to health or safety, excluding undeveloped wooded lots. Any used or discarded tires that are allowed to be a breeding environment for mosquitoes shall be deemed a threat to public health and as such shall comprise a blight condition.

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