(A) All residential and commercial lots and the adjacent boulevards shall be mowed on a regular basis so that the height of grass and/or weeds does not exceed eight inches. Property owners in violation shall be given a seven-day written enforcement intent notice from the date of mailing to complete the work. In addition, property owners shall be responsible for maintaining and trimming trees and shrubs located in the boulevards.
(B) All vacant lots within the city must also be maintained and are subject to the eight-inch rule. An exemption from enforcement must be obtained in areas where vacant lot(s) are unsafe to mow due to terrain or water erosion control. However, the boulevards and portions of the lot (if any) that can safely be accessed must still be maintained.
(C) For purposes of enforcement of this section, when any property is in the right of recovery period of an act of foreclosure, the individual or corporate owner against whom the foreclosure is taking place continues to be responsible for maintenance of the property for as long as they occupy the premises. Once vacated, maintenance responsibility is transferred to the secured party having title to the property.
(D) For purposes of enforcement, city personnel need only issue an enforcement intent notice once per calendar year, normally during the spring of the year to all individual residential and commercial lots. After issuance of the annual notice, city enforcement personnel are authorized to conduct inspections on a weekly basis to ensure compliance.
(E) For all lots within the city, noxious weeds must be treated, eradicated, or maintained before the weed is allowed to seed out, per Minnesota state statute (M.S. Ch. 18.00).
(F) Failure to comply with provisions of this section constitutes a petty misdemeanor enforceable by written citation or summons. In addition to or in lieu of citation, the city may elect to complete the abatement procedure as listed in § 90.006.
(Ord. 020, fourth series, passed 5-21-2024)