It is hereby the duty of the Building Inspector, or his or her duly authorized agent, to view and inspect the sidewalk space within the corporate limits for growing weeds during the growing season, and if weeds and worthless vegetation that are noxious, obstruct travel on public ways, or create a fire or health hazard, are found growing thereon, he or she shall notify the owner or occupant thereof to cut down such weeds as close to the ground as can be practicably done and keep the weeds cut thereon in like manner during the growing season for weeds. In the event that the owner of any lot or parcel of land within the city is a non-resident of the city or cannot be found therein, the notice may be given to any person having the care, custody, or control of such lot or parcel of land. In the event that there can be found no one within the city to whom notice can be given, it shall be the duty of the Building Inspector or his or her agent to post a copy of the notice on the premises and then to cut or cause the weeds thereon to be cut as therein provided and report the cost thereof in writing to the City Council. The cost shall then be audited and paid by the city, and the amount thereof shall be assessed against the lot or parcel of land as a special tax thereon and shall be collected as are other taxes of the city; or may be recovered by civil suit brought by the city against the owner of the parcel of land. In the event the property owner is a non-resident of the county in which the property lies, the city shall, before levying any special assessment against that property, send a copy of any notice required by law to be published by means of certified mail, return receipt requested to the last known address of the non-resident property owner. The last known address shall be that address listed on the current tax rolls at the time such required notice was first published.
(Prior Code, § 8-105)