All property owners must maintain their property and the abutting parking according to the following standards:
1. In developed areas and other areas, which lie within one hundred feet of a developed area or urban street, except for those otherwise hereinafter regulated, all vegetation, vines, brush, bushes, non-purposefully planted trees less than three inches in diameter, and noxious weeds as defined by the Code of Iowa Chapter 317, or other growth, which constitute a health, safety, or fire hazard must be cut or destroyed by the property owners or occupants in possession or control of lands, including railroad lands within the City, to a height comparable to or lower than the groundcover in the surrounding area or when such growth exceeds six inches in height.
2. In areas of forest cover, all vegetation, vines, brush, bushes, non-purposefully planted trees less than three inches in diameter, and noxious weeds as defined by the Code of Iowa (Chapter 317), or other growth, which constitute a health, safety, or fire hazard between the established tree line and the abutting developed area or urban street must be cut or destroyed by the property owners or occupants in possession or control of lands to a height comparable to or lower than the groundcover in the surrounding area or when such growth exceeds six inches in height.
3. All vegetation, weeds, vines, brush, bushes, non-purposefully planted trees less than three inches in diameter, and noxious weeds as defined by the Code of Iowa (Chapter 317), or other growth, which constitutes a health, safety, or fire hazard, which occurs within the public right of way of an urban street, including any drainage ditch located therein, must be cut or destroyed by the property owners or occupants in possession or control of the abutting lands to a height comparable to or lower than the groundcover in the surrounding area or when such growth exceeds six inches in height.
4. Natural areas, farmland, and publicly owned open spaces may exceed the standards established by this chapter, except that any growth of all vegetation, weeds, vines, brush, bushes, non-purposefully planted trees less than three inches in diameter and noxious weeds as defined by the Code of Iowa (Chapter 317), or other growth, which constitute a health, safety, or fire hazard must be cut or destroyed when such growth exceeds one and one-half feet in height.
5. In other areas of the City, all vegetation, weeds, vines, brush, bushes, non-purposefully planted trees less than three inches in diameter and noxious weeds as defined by the Code of Iowa (Chapter 317), or other growth, which constitute a health, safety, or fire hazard must be cut or destroyed when such growth exceeds two feet in height.
6. In the event such vegetation, weeds, vines, brush, bushes, non-purposefully planted trees less than three inches, and noxious weeds as defined by the Code of Iowa, cannot be destroyed by the usual and ordinary methods because of the terrain or rough surface of the property, then the weed official may direct the grading or otherwise leveling of said property, such that a proper destruction of said weeds, vines, brush, or other growth can be accomplished. These costs to grade or otherwise level said property will be billed or assessed as provide in this chapter.
7. In the event the City destroys such vegetation, weeds, vines, brush, bushes, non-purposefully planted trees less than three inches in diameter or other growth, any loss or damage to crops growing on the property, or other damage caused to the property must be borne by the owners or occupants of said property and not by the City or its employees or agents.
8. These requirements as outlined above for the maintenance of parking and private property are in effect no later than April 1 of each year, and thereafter, through and including November 30 of each year.
9. The property owner must keep the abutting parking in repair, free of holes, excavations, protrusions, or other obstacles, which could cause injury to the public.
10. If the weed official determines that a clear and compelling emergency exists, the weed official may cause the necessary maintenance required under this chapter to be done immediately without prior notification the property owner. The cost for the maintenance of the emergency may be assessed as provided in this chapter.