(a) No person owning, leasing, renting, having care of or being in possession of land within the City shall, regardless of intent, permit the growth of grass and weeds to a height in excess of twelve inches on that land, including the public right-of-way upon which such land abuts. This section shall not apply to trees, shrubbery or growth of an ornamental nature unless said plantings create a safety hazard by obstructing vision.
(b) (1) Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, vegetation and noxious weeds other than trees or shrubs.
(2) Trees in the street lawn area are regulated under Chapter 907
“Trees” of Chillicothe’s Codified Ordinances.
(3) The definition of ornamental in this section shall include cultivated flowers and gardens.
(c) Land subject to regulations shall include the following:
(1) Lots in a platted subdivision with a structure including commercial or industrial zoned areas abutting occupied residential areas.
(2) Vacant lots within platted residential subdivisions in which buildings have been erected upon fifty percent (50%) or more of the lots, vacant lots in which buildings have been erected upon fifty percent (50%) or more of the lots in a “block” of a subdivision where the “block” is a planned phase of the subdivision, or any unimproved lot of one acre or less in size abutted by an occupied residential property.
(3) Parcels of land along improved streets in common usage within the City, to a depth equal to the building setback or fifty feet whichever is greater.
(d) This section does not apply to the following:
(1) Portions of lots used for flower gardens, shrubbery or vegetable gardens.
(2) Areas beyond the street right-of-way through naturally wooded areas, regulated wetlands or meadows.
(3) Any property that is located on an embankment or hillside containing a grade or slope ratio of 2:1 or more.
(e) Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof is guilty of a minor misdemeanor for a first offense. Whoever violates subsection (a) hereof twice or more within one year is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree upon a second offense and subsequent offenses within that one-year period. The one-year period shall be measured from the date of arrest or summons to the date of arrest or summons.
(Ord. 45-12. Passed 6-11-12.)