(a) Definition. As used in this section, “compost pile” means any outdoor pile of organic waste matter permitted to decompose for use on the property where the compost pile is maintained.
(b) Ingredients. A compost pile shall consist of leaves, grass clippings, garden plants and vegetable trimmings, raw fruit and vegetables, nitrogen-based chemicals and/or fertilizers, and water. There shall not be permitted the addition of any untreated animal manure, fruit or vegetable substances other than those specified herein, food wastes, cooked kitchen waste, grease, meat products, bones and fats, or dairy products, to any compost pile in the Village.
(c) Compost Piles. Nothing in this section shall be construed or interpreted so as to prevent persons from creating or maintaining a compost pile or piles for yard waste, provided such compost pile or piles are not stored in quantities or locations prohibited by any provision of this section or by any ordinance of the Village or law of the State. All compost piles:
(1) Shall not be visible from the public right of way;
(2) Shall not constitute a public nuisance or a nuisance to abutting or adjoining properties by providing a breeding place or attraction for, or by being infested with, vermin, rodents or insects, or emit a smell or odor which annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities or which endangers real or personal property;
(3) Shall not create any health or fire hazard;
(4) Shall not be created or maintained in any front or side yard or located closer than five feet from any side or rear property line;
(5) Shall be enclosed by a barrier on all sides which shall not exceed four feet in height;
(6) Shall not occupy an area in excess of one percent of the area of the lot or seventy-five square feet, whichever is less; and
(7) Shall not impede any natural watercourse or drainage from any property.
(d) Removal. Any compost pile within the Village which is found to be in violation of this section shall be completely brought into compliance or removed within seven days after receipt of a written notice from the Village to the owner or other person lawfully in possession of the property on which the compost pile is located. Failure to bring the compost pile completely into compliance or to remove a compost pile pursuant to such notice shall be deemed a criminal violation of this section.
(e) Noncompliance; Remedy of Village. If such property owner or other person lawfully in possession of the premises upon which the compost pile is located neglects or refuses to obey such notice as provided for herein above, then the Mayor, the Village Administrator, or other properly authorized employee or agent of the Village shall be and is hereby authorized to remove the compost pile at the expense of the owner or other person having charge thereof. All expenses incurred by the Village for the removal and disposition of a compost pile, together with an administrative charge of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each such removal, shall be reported to the Village Fiscal Officer, who shall mail a statement of the amount thereof to the owner and/or other person lawfully in possession of the premises from which the compost pile was removed. If, after thirty days, such amount remains unpaid, the Village Fiscal Officer shall certify the total amount of the expenses, including the administrative charge, the name of the owner of the land and a sufficient description of the premises to the Huron County Auditor to be entered on the tax duplicate to be a lien on the land from the date of entry and to be collected as other taxes and assessments and returned to the Village pursuant to R.C. 731.54.
(f) Penalty. Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. (Ord. 2005-O-21. Passed 12-12-05.)