Sections:

7.44.010 Purpose.
7.44.020 Definitions.
7.44.030 Storefront window maintenance.
7.44.040 Vacant building storefront window maintenance.
7.44.050 Awning maintenance.
7.44.060 Violations--nuisance.
7.44.070 Construction.


7.44.010 PURPOSE. This chapter is intended to provide for an attractive commercial and retail shopping environment in the Central Business District of San Mateo and to deter graffiti and vandalism of vacant properties. (Ord. 1996-10 § 1 (part), 1996).

7.44.020 DEFINITIONS.
(a)  CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD). The portion of downtown San Mateo that is zoned as the CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.
(b)  AWNING. For the purposes of this Chapter, it is a rooflike cover, temporary in nature, which projects from the wall of a retail building or overhangs the public way.
(c)  STOREFRONT WINDOW. Any window of any CBD property at street level that if not covered, would allow the public to see into the store.
(d)  VACANT PROPERTY. For the purposes of this Chapter, a CBD property is considered "vacant" if there is no current signed lease agreement, the property is not undergoing continuous remodeling or construction, or the property has been unoccupied or not open for business for more than thirty (30) days. (Ord. 1996-10 § 1 (part), 1996).

7.44.030 STOREFRONT WINDOW MAINTENANCE. All CBD storefront windows must be kept clean of obvious dirt, grime, graffiti, or bird droppings. No trash, debris, crates, cardboard boxes or other packing materials may be stacked or stored in the window of any storefront windows unless the building is vacant and in compliance with Section 7.44.040 of this Chapter. (Ord. 1996-10 § 1 (part), 1996).

7.44.040 VACANT BUILDING STOREFRONT WINDOW MAINTENANCE. The storefront windows of any vacant CBD building must be covered with seamless paper (where such paper is available on the retail market) of a neutral color to completely obscure public view of the interior of the building. As an alternative, the owner of any vacant CBD building may cover the storefront window with decorative art. All window coverings must be kept in good repair and shall not be torn, damaged or otherwise left in a state of disrepair. (Ord. 1996-10 § 1 (part), 1996).

7.44.050 AWNING MAINTENANCE. All awnings on CBD buildings, whether occupied or vacant, must be kept clean and in good repair and shall not be defective, torn, badly faded, broken, damaged, or otherwise in a state of disrepair. (Ord. 1996-10 § 1 (part), 1996).

7.44.060 VIOLATIONS - NUISANCE. The violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter is declared to be a public nuisance. It is unlawful for any person or entity to violate the provisions of Sections 7.44.030, 7.44.040, and/or 7.44.050. (Ord. 1996-10 § 1 (part), 1996).

7.44.070 CONSTRUCTION. No section of this Chapter shall impose a mandatory duty on the City, or on any officer, official, agent, employee, board, council, or commission of the City. Instead, if any section purports to impose a mandatory duty of enforcement, that section shall be deemed to invest the City, and the appropriate officer, official, agent, employee, board, council, or commission with discretion to enforce the section or not to enforce it. (Ord. 1996-10 § 1 (part), 1996).