Sec. 13-150. - When prohibited.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person responsible for real property within the city, including the area adjoining such property extending to the curb line or paved portion of the roadway, to permit the accumulation of any weeds. Weeds exceeding a height of ten (10) inches on such property within one hundred fifty (150) feet of any building shall be considered detrimental to the health, safety, peace, good order, comfort, convenience, morals or general welfare of the citizens of the city. Weeds exceeding a height of fifteen (15) inches, regardless of their location, shall be presumed to be detrimental to the health, safety, peace, good order, comfort, convenience, morals or general welfare of the citizens of the city.

(b)

This section shall not apply to farm land, unless such farm land is within one hundred (100) feet of a structure of another owner on an adjacent tract or parcel of land.

(c)

Notices of violations of this section shall be mailed by the director to the owner of record of the property at the address maintained by the real estate assessor for the mailing of tax assessments. The notices shall advise the owner of the requirements of this section and that failure to keep the weeds within the height limits established herein shall result in the city having them cut, with the owner being responsible for the costs thereof as provided by sections 13-151 and 13-152. Such notice need only be provided to the owner once annually.

(Ord. No. 5365-99; Ord. No. 5675-01)

Sec. 13-151. - Cutting of grass and weeds by the city—Generally.

Upon the failure, neglect or refusal of any person responsible for real property to keep the grass and weeds cut as required by this code, the codes compliance administrator is authorized to have the cutting or removal performed by city forces or by contract; and the actual cost of such cutting, plus a charge for administrative costs of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) shall be charged to such person to whom the notice was directed.

(Ord. No. 5365-99)

Sec. 13-152. - Cutting of grass and weeds by city—Collection of costs.

Whenever the director or his agent has the work done pursuant to section 13-151, he shall determine the costs and expenses of such work.

(1)

When the notice required by the building code was directed to a person other than the owners of the property, the director shall bill the person to whom the notice was directed for the actual cost of such work, plus the charge for administrative costs. If such bill is not paid within thirty (30) days, legal action may be instituted for its collection.

(2)

The director shall certify to the city treasurer the amount of the actual cost of such work, plus the administrative costs; and the city treasurer shall include such total amount in the next regular tax bill for payment, and such amount shall be collected by the treasurer as other taxes and levies are collected. Every charge assessed under this section which remains unpaid shall constitute a lien against such real property.

(Ord. No. 5365-99)

Sec. 13-153. - Prohibiting dead trees or parts thereof on property in the city.

It shall be unlawful for any responsible person to permit a dead tree which might endanger the health or safety of persons or property to remain on real property in the city. For the purpose of this ordinance, "responsible person" means an owner of real property or the agent therefor, or any other person responsible for the maintenance of the real property. For the purpose of this ordinance, "dead tree which might endanger the health or safety of persons or property" means any dead tree, any tree that is diseased; or has a dead, diseased, or broken limb or a dead, diseased or broken trunk, or any tree that is totally or partially uprooted, if the height of the tree or the length or the limb or trunk is such that, if it were to fall, the tree, limb or trunk could fall within the public right of way or strike a structure or improvement to real property. A determination of whether or not a tree or part thereof is dead or diseased, shall be made by a qualified arborist employed by the city.

(Ord. No. 6227-06, § 1)

Secs. 13-154—13-159. - Reserved.