Weeds and grasses are considered blight if they exceed 8 inches (8-502). Once property owners are notified of a violation they have 7 days rectify the situation (8-504).

Definitions

Weeds as used herein, mean any of the following:

• Brush and woody vines shall be classified as weeds.
• Weeds and grasses which may attain such large growth as to become, when dry, a fire menace to adjacent improved property.
• Weeds which bear or may bear seeds of a downy or wingy nature.
• Weeds which are located in an area which harbors rats, insects, animals, reptiles, or any other creature which either may or does constitute a menace to health, public safety or welfare.
• Weeds and grasses on or about residential, commercial or industrial property which, because of its height, has a blighting influence on the neighborhood. Any such weeds and indigenous grasses shall be presumed to be blighting if they exceed 8 inches in height.

Public Officer

The Mayor with the consent of the council shall designate a public officer to be charged with the administration and enforcement of this article.

Notice to Remove

The public officer or an authorized assistant shall designate a public officer to be charged with the administration and enforcement of this ordinance. The public officer or an authorized assistant shall notify in writing the owner, occupant or agent in charge of any premises in the city upon which weeds exist in violation of this ordinance, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service, once per calendar year. Such notice shall include the following:

• That the owner, occupant or agent in charge of the property is in violation of the city weed control law.
• That the owner, occupant, or agent in charge of the property is ordered to cut the weeds within 7 days of the receipt of notice or within 15 days of mailing of the notice which ever date is earlier.
• That the owner, occupant or agent in charge of the property may request a hearing before the governing body or its designated representative within five days of the receipt of notice.
• That if the owner, occupant or agent in charge of the property does not cut the weeds, the city or its authorized agent will cut the weeds and assess the cost of the cutting, including a reasonable administrative fee, against the owner, occupant or agent in charge of the property.
• That the owner, occupant or agent in charge of the property will be given an opportunity to pay the assessment, and, if it is not paid, it will be added to the property tax as a special assessment.
• That no further notice shall be given prior to removal of weeds during the current calendar year.
• That the public officer should be contacted if there are any questions regarding the order. If there is a change in the record owner of title to property subsequent to the giving of notice pursuant to this subsection, the city may not recover any costs or levy an assessment for the costs incurred by the cutting or destruction of weeds on such property unless the new record owner of title to such property is provided notice as required by this section.