(A) For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DESTRUCTION ORDER. The notice served by the City Council or designated city official, in cases of appeal, on the property owner of the ordinance violation.
NATIVE VEGETATION. Grasses and flowering broad-leaf plants that are native to, or adapted to, the State of Minnesota, and that are commonly found in meadow and prairie plant communities, except weeds.
NATURAL LANDSCAPING. Groups of plants native to the State of Minnesota.
WEEDS, GRASSES and RANK VEGETATION.
(a) Includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Noxious weeds and rank vegetation shall include but not be limited to: alum (allium), Buckthorn, Bur Cucumber, Canada Thistle, Corncockle, Cressleaf Groundsel, Curly Dock, Dodder, Field Bindweed, French Weed, Hairy Whitetop, Hedge Bindweed, Hoary Cress, Horsenettle, Johnsongrass, Leafy Spurge, Mile-A-Minute Weed, Musk Thistle, Oxeye Daisy, Perennial Sowthistle, Poison Hemlock, Purple Loosestrife, Quackgrass, Russian Knapweed, Russian Thistle, Serrated Tussock, Shatter Cane, Sorghum, Wild Carrot, Wild Garlic, Wild Mustard, Wild Onion, Wild Parsnip;
2. Grapevines when growing in groups of 100 or more and not pruned, sprayed, cultivated, or otherwise maintained for two consecutive years;
3. Bushes of the species of tall, common or European barberry, further known as berberis vulgaris or its horticultural varieties;
4. Any weeds, grass or plants, other than trees, bushes, flowers or other ornamental plants, growing to a height exceeding eight inches; and
5. Rank vegetation includes the uncontrolled, uncultivated growth of annuals and perennial plants.
(b) The term WEEDS does not include shrubs, trees, cultivated plants or crops and the following:
1. Native vegetation included as part of a natural landscaping plan is allowed provided the owner applies for and receives an approved natural landscape plan from the city, and maintains the property in a condition sufficient to maintain the plan.
2. Natural landscape plans are required if landscaping includes grasses or broad-leaf plants that exceed eight inches in overall height and exceed 25% of the pervious surface area of the parcel excluding natural wooded areas, wetlands, rain gardens and native shorelines.
3. Non-noxious weeds, native grasses and native broad-leaf plants are allowed within 20 feet of storm water ponds or within 50 feet of natural or altered creeks, rivers and stream corridors, including riparian buffer strips.
4. Non-noxious weeds, native grasses and native broad-leaf plants are allowed on land zoned agricultural, including pastures, provided that a mowed buffer zone of ten feet between the agricultural land and any turf grass or right-of-way be maintained.
PROPERTY OWNER. The person occupying the property, the holder of legal title or a person having control over the property of another, such as a right-of-way, easement, license or lease.
(B) In no event shall cultivated plants or crops include plants which have been defined by state statute or administrative rule as being noxious or detrimental plants.
(2004 Code, § 92.37) (Ord. 15-0741, passed 7-28-2015; Ord. 23-840, passed 10-24-2023)