(a) On information that noxious weeds or overgrown unmaintained plants, weeds, or grasses, as defined in Section 674.01 exist on land within the City, the Director of Public Service, or their designee, shall cause a written notice to be served upon the owner, agent, tenant, or other person having charge of such land, notifying them that there is a violation of this chapter and it must be remedied within five days after service of such notice. This notice shall contain the date of posting and the location of the property, and shall indicate how to contact the City in response, as well as stating that in the case of unoccupied property or vacant land, the City will not make further notice for subsequent violations, but will proceed with the remedies listed in this chapter for the remainder of the calendar year.
(b) Any police officer may make the required service of notice as long as they document the service in writing. For single family dwellings it shall be sufficient to leave the notice with any competent adult occupant of the property. For other properties the notice must be served on the owner or an agent of the owner.
(c) If the address of the owner or other person having charge of such land is known, such notice may be sent to their address by certified mail or via express courier service with a signature required. Service is complete upon receipt. In the event that such notice is returned refused or unclaimed, notice may be given by sending the notice regular mail, or by posting the notice on the land in a conspicuous manner. Service is complete upon mailing of regular mail or upon the posting of the notice on the land.
(d) If the address of the owner or person having charge of such land is unknown and cannot be reasonably ascertained, it shall be sufficient to publish the required notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county. And in addition, the Director of Public Service, or their designated agent, shall post the property by posting the notice on the land in a conspicuous manner.
(e) In the instance of unoccupied property or vacant land, only one notice per calendar year under the above-listed methods is required. If, after a notice has been previously served in accordance with this section, the Director of Public Service, or their designated agent, determines that a subsequent violation has occurred, they may proceed with the remedies set forth in this chapter.
(f) Unmaintained plants, weeds, or grasses in violation must be cut or destroyed within five days after receipt or posting of such notice, whichever is earlier.
(Ord. 1985-98. Passed 6-17-85; Ord. 2004-047. Passed 6-21-04; Ord. 2019-014. Passed 4-1-19; Ord. 2022-054. Passed 10-3-22.)