Environmental Health - Rodent Control (Chapter 21 of Title 25)

RODENT CONTROL Sections: 25.2101 Duty of owner, lessee, or occupant of occupied building 25.2102 Duty of owner or lessee of unoccupied building or vacant lot 25.2103 Construction and protection of docks and wharves 25.2104 Danger of human or rodent plague on vessels—Precautionary measures 25.2105 Storage of food 25.2101 Duty of owner, lessee, or occupant of occupied building. Every owner, lessee, or occupant of an occupied building wherever located, shall comply with the following: (a) Whenever any building is infested, or becomes infested with rodents, adequate measures shall be taken in good faith to endeavor to eradicate such rodents by poisoning, trapping, fumigation or other appropriate means. (b) Roofs, garrets, courtyards Alleys, basements, cellars and any open spaces which are attached to and are adjacent to houses or buildings, shall be kept free from foodstuffs, garbage, forage, and other material which may serve as food or harborage for rodents. (c) No rubbish, garbage, waste, or filth of any kind may be placed, left dumped, or permitted to accumulate or remain in any building or in the vicinity thereof, including any area between the property line and the road, in such a way as to afford a harborage or breeding place for rodents. All weeds and grass in the vicinity of any building, including any area between the property line and the road, must be maintained so as to avoid harborage or breeding places for rodents. In rural or village areas, the duty imposed by this section does not extend beyond the property line. (d) Firewood, scraps, lumber, and other loose materials adjacent to or under buildings shall be piled in an orderly manner so as not to afford a harborage for rodents. History: 1972, PL 12-44 § 9. 25.2102 Duty of owner or lessee of unoccupied building or vacant lot. (a) Every owner or lessee of an unoccupied building, or of any vacant lot located in any village or urban area, shall keep such building and its grounds, or such vacant lot, including any area between the property line and the road in sanitary condition free from all rubbish garbage, waste, and filth of any kind. All weeds and grass on such premises, including any area between the property line and the road shall be maintained so as to avoid harborage or breeding places for rodents. (b) In the case of property owned or leased by the government of American Samoa the responsible party for purposes of the liability of the government, shall be the director of public works. History: 1972, PL 12-44 § 9. 25.2103 Construction and protection of docks and wharves. All public and private docks and wharves shall be so constructed and protected as to prevent rodents from gaining access thereto or thereunder at either high or low tide. All foodstuffs on such docks and wharves shall be so kept and stored as to prevent rodents from gaining access thereto or coming into contact therewith. History: 1972, PL 12-44 § 9. 25.2104 Danger of human or rodent plague on vessels—Precautionary measures. Whenever any vessel or other watercraft arriving from any port infected or suspected of being infected with human or rodent plague lies alongside any wharf or dock, or whenever any vessel or other watercraft was docked at any port at which, in the opinion of the director there existed the http://www.asbar.org/Newcode/Title%2025.htm#s2101#s2101 http://www.asbar.org/Newcode/Title%2025.htm#s2102#s2102 http://www.asbar.org/Newcode/Title%2025.htm#s2103#s2103 http://www.asbar.org/Newcode/Title%2025.htm#s2104#s2104 http://www.asbar.org/Newcode/Title%2025.htm#s2105#s2105 danger of human or rodent plague. the following requirements must be fulfilled: (a) Immediately upon docking. and during the entire time a vessel lies at a wharf, it shall be fended off at least 6 feet. (b) All connection lines shall be properly fitted with rat guards of such design as shall be approved by the director. (c) Gangways and other means of access to the vessel or watercraft shall be well lighted or separated from shore at night by a minimum of 6 feet. (d) All cargo nets and similar devices extending between the vessel and shore structure shall be removed at night unless in actual use. History: 1972, PL 12-44 § 9. 25.2105 Storage of food. Food shall be stored only in rodent-proof boxes, bins, or rooms. History: 1972, PL 12-44 9.