Common Code Concerns

No person or entity shall hold an outdoor event in a public space in the City without first obtaining a permit and paying a fee. For one-day outdoor events, said permit shall entitle the permit holder to conduct the event for one day and night, beginning no earlier than 9 am and ending no later than 12 midnight. For special ongoing outdoor events, said permit shall entitle the permit holder to conduct the event on a regular schedule and specific time period, beginning no earlier than 9 am and ending no later than 12 midnight. (Ord. 8-2002, 8/06/02)

Source: City of Mount Rainier Municipal Code - Section 7-106(D)

It shall be unlawful for any person eighteen (18) years of age or older to engage in solicitation activities within the City of Mount Rainier without first obtaining a permit...

Source: City of Mount Rainier Municipal Code - Section 7-106

Rat Elimination and Control is the responsibility of the Property Owner.

Anyone can inspect for rats. Walk around your property and look for evidence of rat activity. Rats come out at night, walk around outside with a flashlight after dark. This will help you see where rats are going, you can check for burrows when daylight comes. Burrows are holes in the dirt or concrete from one to four inches wide, with smooth edges.

RAT CONTROL MEASURES:

· Eliminate food supply

· Eliminate points of entry

· Reduce spillage from birdseed and breadcrumbs on or around your property.

· Make sure to store garbage in containers with tight fitting lids.

· It is very important to cut tall grass and weeds.

· Keep your yard free of trash, debris, high grass or accumulations of building supplies.

· If property is under construction, store materials and keep equipment outside neatly.

· Organizing and /or elevating stored items helps to reduce harborage and allows you to inspect under and around them more easily.

· If building low to the ground is unavoidable, utilize heavy one fourth inch wire mesh to close perimeter gaps.

· Standing water also provides a breeding area, so cut off any water supply.

· Communicate with your family and neighbors. They may not realize that a problem exists, and everyone must address rodent infestations if they are to be successfully controlled and eliminated.

· Many of the measures need to be utilize in combination for rodent abatement to be effective in our community.

RODENTICIDES:

All rodenticides are harmful to humans and should be stored in the original container out of the reach of children. Rodenticides must be used in accordance with label directions.

· Purchase single dose feeding poison

· Look for active ingredients with the name of Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Bromethalin, or Cholecalciferol.

· Many bait stations or trap products are available at local hardware and lawn and garden stores.

Rats typically live about one year; they may survive longer, and females may have four to seven litters of young per year. About 30 young expected to live to maturity per year.

IMPORTANT KEY POINTS:

· Sweep up droppings, also getting rid of clutter is an easy and effective way to prevent rats.

· Clutter gives rats places to hide, sleep, nest, and reproduce.

· Store items away from walls and off the ground.

· Rats can be often found in burrows under bushes and plants.

Effective rodent control starts with working together as a community in making sure that we follow steps to eliminate rodent infestations. Rats are prolific breeders so rodent control measures must include the elimination of the food, water, and harborage necessary for them to carry on the breeding process. Leaving food outside for cats or birds is not wise; rats feed on this food supply and can easily make homes next to the food supply.

It shall be the duty of every person in charge or control of any building or parcel of land, located in the city, fronting or abutting on a paved public sidewalk, whether as owner, proprietor, tenant, occupant, or otherwise, within 24 hours after the ceasing to fall of any snow, sleet or freezing rain, to remove and clear away, or cause to be removed and cleared away, such snow, sleet or freezing rain from such public sidewalk as is in front of or abuts on said building or lot of land. It shall be unlawful to fail, neglect, or refuse to comply with this section.

Source: City of Mount Rainier Municipal Code - Section 12-109

All buildings or structures, or parts thereof, which may have any or all of the following defects shall be deemed unsafe buildings:

i. Those which have been damaged by fire, wind, storm, or other causes so as to have become dangerous to life, safety, or the general health and welfare of the occupants or the public;

ii. Those which have become or are so dilapidated, decayed, damaged, unsanitary, unsafe, or vermin- or rodent-infested that it creates a hazard to the health, safety, or general welfare of the occupants or the public;

iii. Those having light, air, sanitary, plumbing, or heating facilities or other essential equipment which are inadequate to protect the health, safety, or general welfare of the occupants or the public;

iv. Those having inadequate facilities for egress in case of fire or panic or which are dangerous to life, health, property, or the safety of its occupants by not providing minimum protection from fire;

v. Those which are structurally unsound, dangerous, or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation that they are likely to partially or completely collapse, or which have parts thereof which are so attached that they may fall and injure members of this or their property;

vi. Those which are vacant, abandoned, or are blighting or deteriorating factors in the neighborhood or which because of their general condition are unsafe, unsanitary, or otherwise dangerous to the health, safety, or general welfare of the public.

Source: City of Mount Rainier Municipal Code - Section 3C-101(A)

Vacant building shall mean a building that is (1) empty or (2) not occupied on a regular and habitual basis by the owner, tenant, agent of the owner, or other person having permission of the owner on a regular and habitual basis for the usual and customary purposes for which the building is designed and lawfully permitted or (3) partially occupied. (Ord 7-2005)

Source: City of Mount Rainier Municipal Code - Section 3B-104.A.2