ORDINANCE 198 TITLE III COMMUNITY PROTECTION CHAPTER 14 MOWING OF PROPERTIES 3-14-1 Purpose 3-14-2 Exemptions 3-14-3 Definitions 3-14-4 Cutting Specifications and Standards of Practice 3-14-5 Uniform …

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ORDINANCE 198 TITLE III COMMUNITY PROTECTION CHAPTER 14 MOWING OF PROPERTIES 3-14-1 Purpose 3-14-2 Exemptions 3-14-3 Definitions 3-14-4 Cutting Specifications and Standards of Practice 3-14-5 Uniform Height Specifications 3-14-6 Publication of Notice 3-14-7 Failure to Comply 3-14-8 Abatement by City 3-14-9 Collection of Costs 3-14-10 Failure to Abate 3-14-1 PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to beautify and preserve the appearance of the City by requiring property owners and occupants to maintain lawns at a uniform height within the boundaries of their property and on abutting street right-of-way in order to prevent unsightly, offensive or nuisance conditions. 3-14-2 EXEMPTIONS. The Council reserves the right to declare any particular area exempt from this chapter if it involves conservation or other natural grass, flower, or wildlife area, such exemption to be approved by the Council by motion and filed in writing with the Clerk. 3-14-3 DEFINITIONS. For use in this chapter, the following terms are defined: 1. “Curb”, “curb line” or “curbing” means the outer boundaries of a street at the edge of that portion of the street usually traveled by vehicular traffic. 2. “Cut” or “mow” means to mechanically maintain the growth of grass, weeds, or brush at a uniform height. 3. “Owner” means a person owning private property in the City and any person occupying private property in the City. 4. “Parking” means that part of a street in the City not covered by a sidewalk and lying between the lot line or property line and the curb line; or on unpaved streets, that part of the street lying between the lot line or property line and that portion for the street usually traveled by vehicular traffic. 3-14-4 CUTTING SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE. 1. Every owner shall cut, mow and maintain all grass, weeds and brush upon the owner’s property and adjacent to the curb line or outer boundary of any street, which includes the parking area abutting the owner’s property, to a uniform height as defined in Section 3-14-5. 2. Every owner shall cut, mow and maintain all grass, weeds and brush adjacent to the curb line, including the parking area abutting the owner’s property, in such a manner so as to be in conformity with Section 3-14-5. 3. Every owner shall cut, mow and prevent all grass, weeds and brush adjacent to the curb, curb line, curbing, in such a manner so as to keep all grass, weeds and brush from exceeding the curb, curb line, curbing. 3-14-5 UNIFORM HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS. Any property within the City of Dunlap, whether vacated or non-vacated, is required to be mowed any time the grass, weeds and brush reaches a height in excess of 8 inches. Ornamental grasses are excluded. Grass, weeds, and brush, which are allowed to grow in excess of the above-specified limitations, are deemed to be violations of this chapter. Any property within the City of Dunlap, whether vacated or non-vacated, is required to conform to these specifications. 3-14-6 PUBLICATION OF NOTICE. Annual spring publication of this ordinance in an official newspaper shall serve as notice to property owners. The City will be authorized to respond to violations without additional written notice being given. 3-14-7 FAILURE TO COMPLY. If the property owner fails to comply with this chapter, the Council or its appointee will order the property to be mowed. The City of Dunlap will then apply a charge of $75.00 per hour to remedy said nuisances, plus a $100.00 surcharge. This fee, if not paid within 30 days, will be assessed by the City for such costs and will be collected in the same manner as general property taxes. 3-14-8 ABATEMENT BY CITY. If the property owner neglects or fails to abate as directed by this chapter, the City may perform the required action to abate. The fee for the abatement will be in accordance with Section 3-14-7. 3-14-9 COLLECTION OF COSTS. The City Clerk shall send a statement of the total expense incurred to the property owner who has failed to abide by the publication notice. If the amount shown by the statement has not been paid within 30 days, the Clerk shall certify the costs to the County Treasurer and such costs shall then be collected with, and in the same manner as general property taxes. 3-14-10. FAILURE TO ABATE. Any person causing or maintaining a nuisance who shall fail or refuse to abate or remove the same is in violation of this Code of Ordinances. PASSED by the City Council on this 8th day of June, 2016 and approved this 8th day of June, 2016. TDR 5-19-22