(a) The owner, occupant or person having the charge or management of any improved residential or commercial property situated within the City, within two days after written notice to do so, served upon him or her in conformity with Ohio R.C. 731.51, shall properly maintain landscaping and cut or destroy or cause to be cut or destroyed any and all noxious or poisonous weeds or vines growing upon the lot or parcel of land, and prevent the same from blooming, going to seed, exceeding a height of seven inches or spreading pollen which may be harmful to human health. Improperly maintained landscaping includes, but is not limited to, untrimmed bushes and shrubs; wild or uncontrolled growth of bushes, shrubbery or trees which are not cut, trimmed or maintained in a reasonable fashion; grass or groundcover encroaching upon the sidewalk or driveways; or other deleterious, unhealthful or unsightly growth or noxious material. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs, provided, however, that this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.
(b) The owner, occupant or person having the charge or management of any vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of land situated within the City, within two days after written notice to do so, served upon him or her in conformity with Ohio R.C. 731.51, shall cut or destroy or cause to be cut or destroyed any and all noxious or poisonous weeds or vines growing upon the lot or parcel of land, and prevent the same from blooming, going to seed, exceeding a height of seven inches upon any such lot or parcel of land within thirty feet of any public right-of-way or spreading pollen which may be harmful to human health. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs, provided, however, that this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.
(c) As used in this section, “improved” means any residential or commercial property with a building of any description. “Vacant” or “unimproved” means a property or parcel of land with no building of any description.
(d) The notice may be served by delivering it by one or more of the following procedures:
(1) Personally delivering it to the owner, occupant or person in control of the land.
(2) Delivering it or mailing it by regular or certified mail to the usual place of business or residence of the owner, occupant or person in control of the land.
(3) Posting it in a conspicuous place on the land involved.
(e) A separate offense shall be deemed to have occurred each day on which such weeds or grasses are allowed to stand longer than two days after the receipt of such notice. Only one notice will be given. If the grass is out of compliance at any future date this growing season, it will be abated by the City without further notice. Such weeds or grasses are hereby declared to be a nuisance.
(Ord. 1999-12. Passed 4-12-99; Ord. 2015-19. Passed 6-8-15.)