All owners and operators shall comply with the following yard area maintenance regulations:
(a) All portions of the zoning lot not covered by permitted structures shall be landscaped with grass, trees, shrubbery, and/or other appropriate ground cover or landscaping material. All landscaping shall be adequately maintained.
(Ord. 2013-33. Passed 6-4-13.)
(Ord. 2013-33. Passed 6-4-13.)
(b) No noxious weeds or grass shall be permitted to grow to a height exceeding twelve (12) inches. Such limits on the heights shall not apply to naturally wooded areas or ornamental grass.
(1) The owner of the parcel of real estate containing a violation of this Section shall only receive one written notice affixed to the premises thereon in a conspicuous place, via regular U.S. Mail with certificate of mailing, or to a stake placed in the yard, to cut or destroy or cause to be cut or destroyed any and all high, obstructive, offensive, unsightly noxious weeds or grass within three (3) days after the date of the notice. If left unabated after three (3) days, the City shall abate the nuisance. Any lot or parcel of land found to be in subsequent violation shall be mowed by the City at a minimum of every thirty (30) days during the growing season without further notice. All costs of abatement by the City shall be billed to the property owner by the Zoning Inspector at the rate of $154.00 per hour or more, based on the current costs of abatement; if unpaid after thirty (30) days, the costs shall be made an assessment on the property's real estate taxes.
(2) Any property owner who violates this Section on two or more occasions in one year, or once within each of two separate calendar years, shall receive notice in April of each year that they have been deemed a "habitual violator" and the property shall be mowed by the City at a minimum of every thirty (30) days during the growing season without further notice.
(3) Prior to April 1, 2015, any owner who meets the criteria of division (b)(2), supra, based on past nuisance abatements, shall be deemed a "habitual violator" subject to automatic abatement by the City as provided in that subsection.
(4) A violation of subsection (b)(1) hereof shall be punished as provided in Section 1305.99(a) of the Codified Ordinances.
(Ord. 2015-09. Passed 4-21-15.)
(c) Hedges and bushes shall be kept from becoming overgrown and unsightly (i.e., covering windows, choking out other plants, untrimmed, etc.) where exposed to public view.
(d) Dead trees and limbs or other natural growth which by reason of rotting or deteriorating conditions or storm damage constitutes shall be cut down and shall be removed.
(e) Loose and overhanging objects, both manmade and natural which, by reason of location above ground level, constitute a danger of falling shall be repaired, or removed.
(f) Front yards shall be kept free, and storage shall be prohibited, of all firewood, brush, logs or any other material intended to be used in fireplaces or other permitted burning facilities. Storage of such materials shall be permitted only in side or rear yards and under the following conditions:
(1) The firewood shall be stacked no higher than four (4) feet;
(2) It shall be cut firewood;
(3) It shall be stored at least five feet from the property line unless written permission by the adjoining property owner;
(4) Be elevated at least six (6) inches off the ground, except when stored on any asphalt, concrete or other suitable hard surface; and
(5) Storage piles shall not exceed two (2) cords in an exposed area. Additional wood may be stored in an enclosed area, accessory building, garage, or shed.
(g) No refuse including but not limited to furniture and appliances manufactured and intended for interior use such as upholstered furniture, mattress, dresser, table, dining/kitchen chair, rug, carpet, refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, water heater, furnace, air conditioner, fan, tub, commode, sink, or any part of any furniture or appliance, used building materials, inoperative motor vehicle, and automobile parts shall be placed or stored in any yard contiguous to any structure within the City. The above prohibition extends to any open, unenclosed structure located on such premises including any porch, gazebo, deck, patio, and veranda or upon any lawn or open exterior area. Any above item set out for disposal must be placed at curbside no earlier than the evening prior to collection.
(h) Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall be a violation and shall be punishable under Section 1305.99.
(Ord. 2013-33. Passed 6-4-13.)