For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AUTHORIZED EMPLOYEE. An individual designated to make environmental public nuisance inspections or any individual(s) of any governmental department of the city, which department has been designated by the Mayor to enforce this subchapter.
CITY. The City of Jonesboro.
ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC NUISANCE. Any of the following constitute an environmental public nuisance:
(1) Any growth of weeds, grass, or other rank vegetation on private or governmental property which is neglected, disregarded, or not cut, mowed, or otherwise removed and/or which has attained a height of nine inches or more from the edge of the street to alley, around any sign and/or street or in front of signs;
(2) Any accumulation of dead weeds, grass, brush, trees, or woody growth on private or governmental property (with the following exception: a compost pile);
(3) Any poison ivy, ragweed, or other poisonous plant or plants detrimental to health, growing on any private or governmental property;
(4) Any vegetation, trees, or woody growth on private property which due to its proximity to any governmental property, right-of-way, or easement, interferes with the public safety or lawful use of the governmental property, right-of-way, easement, or which has been allowed to become a health or safety hazard; or
(5) No grass or weeds may be blown into the streets or into city drains; such become a safety issue.
EXCLUDED PROPERTY. Any of the following may constitute excluded property:
(1) Land cultivated in a commercial, agricultural, or horticultural zone;
(2) An existing natural or developed forest which does not create a health or safety hazard;
(3) Vacant open lands, fields, or wooded areas more than 150 feet from occupied property;
(4) A nature habitat area more than 150 feet from an occupied structure on adjacent property and determined not to be a health or safety hazard; or
(5) A wetland area designated by United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Division on a National Wetlands Inventory Maps.
GOVERNMENTAL PROPERTY. Real estate within the city which is owned, leased, controlled, or occupied by the United States, the state, or any political subdivision thereof; excluding areas such as interior fields, river bank properties, and wooded lots which are maintained as natural sites by any such political entity.
OFFICER. An employee of the Code Enforcement Department, police officers, or any other governmental department of the city so authorized by the Mayor, may issue city ordinance violation summons in order to enforce the provisions of this subchapter. The city Street/Utility Department and the Clerk Treasurer’s office shall assist with city code enforcement of this violation.
OWNER. Any one or more of the following:
(1) The owner or owners in fee simple of a parcel of real estate including the life tenant or tenants if any;
(2) The record owner or owners as reflected by the most current records in the County Assessor’s office of the township in which the real estate is located; or
(3) The purchaser or purchasers of such real estate under any contract for the conditional sale thereof.
PRIVATE PROPERTY. All real estate within the city except governmental property.
TRAFFIC HAZARD. Any environmental public nuisance that is potentially dangerous to the existing traffic at the intersection in question, as it may block or prohibit the view of any oncoming traffic.
WEEDS AND RANK VEGETATION. Any plant which grows to a height of nine inches where it is not wanted, such as around fire hydrants, curbs, the edge of the street or alley, street signs, and/or easements areas.
(Ord. 4-2022, passed 5-10-2022)