1307.01 DECLARATION OF NUISANCE.

   (a)    It is hereby determined that weeds or plant growth, including grass, growing at a height of six inches or higher after the fifteenth day of April of each year are a public nuisance.

   (b)   On the first day of April of each year, the Fiscal Officer shall publish this determination in a newspaper of general circulation and shall make demand that all property owners regularly cut the weeds and plant growth, including grass, upon their properties during the ensuing months of the year.

(Ord. 02-24. Passed 4-15-24.)

1307.02 CUTTING OF WEEDS AND GRASS REQUIRED.

   (a)    The owner, lessee, agent, tenant or other such person having charge or care of any land, parcel or lot within the Village within 200 feet of any residential or commercial building or any public street shall maintain the premises and exterior property free from weeds or plant growth, including grass, in excess of six (6) inches in height. Ornamental grasses in landscaped beds are exempt. All noxious weeds as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Administrative Code 901:5-37-01 are prohibited.

   (b)    Noxious Weeds Defined. Poison ivy; poison oak; poison sumac; any and all additional noxious weeds included in the Ohio Administrative Code's list of prohibited noxious weeds and/or the Ohio noxious weed list maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

   (c)    Plant Growth Defined. All grasses, annual plants, and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs. This term does not include cultivated flowers and gardens regularly tended and confined to a definite area.

(Ord. 02-24. Passed 4-15-24.)

1307.03 NOTICE TO CUT, TRIM OR REMOVE.

   (a)    When determined through inspection by the Mayor/Village Administrator or his/her designee, that weeds or plant growth, including grass, in excess of six (6) inches in height exist within the village in violation of Section 1307.02, the Mayor/Village Administrator or his/her designee, shall cause notice of the public nuisance to be served to the owner, lessee, agent, tenant or other such person having charge or care of such land to abate the violation. Such notice shall include the following information:

      (1)    The address of the property,

      (2)    The date of the notice,

      (3)    The address and telephone number of the designated office for contact,

      (4)    A warning that the notice is deemed a continuing notice for the remainder of the calendar year, and

      (5)    A warning that if the public nuisance is not abated within five (5) days after notice is delivered or posted, the Village may issue a citation and/or the Village will abate the nuisance and seek recovery of all reasonable costs involved in the abatement of the nuisance pursuant to the Codified Ordinances.

   (b)    Notice shall be served by any of the following methods:

      (1)    By a law enforcement officer in person upon such owner, lessee, agent, tenant or other such person having charge of such land;

      (2)    By certified mail to the owner, lessee, agent, tenant or other such person having charge of such land;

      (3)    By publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in the Village;

      (4)    By notice by placard conspicuously posted on such land;

      (5)    By other manner as permitted by law.

   (c)    The Mayor/Village Administrator or his/her designee shall be required to serve only one notice on an owner, lessee, agent, tenant or other such person having charge or care of the land per calendar year; thereafter, the owner, lessee, agent, tenant or other such person having charge or care of any land who has received the notice shall be under a continuing duty to obey same. (Ord. 02-24. Passed 4-15-24.)