(a) An owner or occupant of a lot or parcel of land located within the corporate limits of the Village shall be notified by the Mayor or his or her designee to forthwith cut noxious or harmful weeds, vines, or grasses growing upon his or her premises. Such notification shall be in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by publication of legal notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, or personally. The owner or occupant shall cut such weeds, vines, or grasses within five days of receipt of notice or as required by this chapter. One notification per calendar year shall be deemed notice for all subsequent violations during the calendar year.
(b) If such property owner or occupant fails to cut such noxious weeds or vines within five days of receipt of the notice or publication, the Mayor or his or her designee may cause criminal charges to be filed through the office of the Noble County Prosecuting Attorney.
(c) Such notice is not a prerequisite to the filing of such charges, but such charges may be filed by private individuals at any time a violation occurs.
(d) In the event the owner, or his agent or occupant of the lot or parcel, neglects or refuses to cut the noxious or harmful weeds and vines, the Mayor or his or her designee may cause such noxious or harmful weeds and vines to be cut and removed, and charge the expense thereof to the owner. Upon being unpaid, the Village may certify the unpaid amount to the County Auditor and the same shall act as a lien upon the property to be collected as a special assessment and/or may civilly collect the unpaid bill from the owner in a court of law.
(Ord. 2020-04. Passed 7-13-20.)