(a) No owner or occupant of land in the City shall permit noxious weeds, as defined in section 901:5-37-01 of the Ohio Administrative Code, to grow, mature or spread seeds on such land. Where a violation of this subsection is found to exist, a written notice of violation shall be served upon the owner or occupant having charge of such land, notifying him that the noxious weeds must be cut and destroyed within five days after the service of the notice. Notice of violation shall be deemed served by placing said notice on a conspicuous location on the property.
(b) No owner or occupant of land in the City shall permit litter, as defined in Ohio R.C. 731.51, to be placed or remain on such land. Where a violation of this subsection is found to exist, a written notice of violation shall be served upon the owner or occupant having charge of such land, notifying him that the litter must be collect and removed within fifteen days after the service of the notice. Notice of violation shall be deemed served by placing said notice on a conspicuous location on the property.
(c) (1) No owner or occupant of land in the City shall permit grass to grow on such land to a height greater than six inches. Where a violation of this subsection is found to exist, a written notice of violation shall be served upon the owner or occupant having charge of such land, notifying him that the high grass must be cut within a reasonable time as fixed in the notice. Notice of violation shall be deemed served by placing said notice on a conspicuous location on the property.
(2) A notice of violation issued pursuant to subsection (c)(1) hereof shall be effective to place the property owner or occupant on notice of the continuing legal duty to prevent the reoccurrence of the violation, provided the notice of violation contains the following language:
“YOU ARE HEREBY PLACED ON NOTICE THAT YOU HAVE A CONTINUING LEGAL DUTY TO PREVENT THE RE-OCCURRENCE OF THIS VIOLATION. IN THE EVENT THIS VIOLATION RE-OCCURS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, NO FURTHER NOTICE WILL BE ISSUED TO YOU BY THE CITY AND THE CITY MAY, AT ITS SOLE ELECTION, PROSECUTE A CRIMINAL ACTION AGAINST YOU IN THE PARMA MUNICIPAL COURT AND TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO CORRECT AND/OR ABATE THE VIOLATION AT YOUR COST.”
If the violation reoccurs within 12 months from the date of service of the notice of violation, and there has been no change in ownership or occupancy, as applicable, of the subject property, no new notice of violation need be issued prior to the Code Official taking immediate action to prosecute a criminal action in the Parma Municipal Court and correct or abate the violation at the expense of the appropriate party.
(d) If the owner or occupant fails to comply with any notice required under this section, the Code Official shall cause such noxious weeds or high grass to be cut and/or destroyed or such litter removed. The Code Official may hire a private person or firm to accomplish such tasks. The actual cost of bringing the property into compliance plus 25% for inspection and administration shall be billed to the owner or occupant. If said bill is not paid within thirty days after submission, the City Auditor shall certify said costs together with a 10% penalty to the County Fiscal Officer for placement on the tax duplicate to be collected as other taxes for return to the City.
(e) Whoever violates any provision of this section, or who fails to comply therewith, shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Section 1705.99 of these Codified Ordinances.
(Ord. 145-13. Passed 7-1-13; Ord. 18-16. Passed 3-21-16.)