(A) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
GRASS LAWN. A lawn composed mostly of grasses commonly used in regularly cut lawns or play areas, including but not limited to bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass blends, intended to be maintained at a height of no more than 8 inches.
MANAGED NATURAL LANDSCAPE. A planned, intentional, and maintained planting of native or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, forbs, ferns, shrubs, or trees, including but not limited to rain gardens, meadow vegetation, and ornamental plants. MANAGED NATURAL LANDSCAPES does not include turf-grass lawns left unattended for the purpose of returning to a natural state.
MEADOW VEGETATION. Grasses and flowering broad-leaf plants that are native to, or adapted to, the State of Minnesota, and that are commonly found in meadow and prairie plant communities but does not include noxious weeds as that term is defined by M.S. § 18.77, Subd. 8.
ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. Grasses, perennials, annuals, and groundcovers purposely planted for aesthetic reasons.
RAIN GARDEN. A native plant garden that is designed not only to aesthetically improve properties, but also to reduce the amount of stormwater and accompanying pollutants from entering streams, lakes, and rivers.
(B) Maintenance. Every owner or occupant of real property in the city shall keep grass, weeds, and brush maintained and be responsible for the removal and disposal of dead or diseased trees thereon the property, abutting boulevard, and/or portion of the street reserved for sidewalk abutting the property. Except as part of a managed natural landscape as defined in this section, any weeds or grasses growing upon any lot or parcel of land in the city to a greater height than 8 inches or that have gone to seed or about to go to seed are prohibited.
(C) Managed natural landscapes allowed. With the conditions set forth herein, the city shall allow an owner, authorized agent, or authorized occupant of any privately owned lands or premises to install and maintain a managed natural landscape, as defined in this section, which may include certain plants and grasses in excess of 8 inches in height and which may have gone to seed but which shall not include any noxious weeds. The managed natural landscape must be at least 5 feet from the property line and must not be located in a city right-of-way or city-owned or controlled easement. The managed natural landscape must be identified as a managed natural landscape by a sign posted on the property in a location likely to be seen by the public. This sign is required only if the managed natural landscape is in an area likely to be seen by the public. This sign must be in addition to any sign permitted by the sign ordinance but must be no smaller than 10 square inches, no larger than 1 square foot, and no higher than 3 feet tall.
(D) Violations. Violation of this section are subject to proper enforcement of §§ 92.35 et seq. as well as other applicable statute, laws or code provisions, including representing public nuisances subject to abatement under this section. Violations include, but may not be limited to, allowing: i. noxious weeds; ii. vegetation that does not meet the maintenance standard specified in division (B) above; and iii. managed natural landscaped areas that do not comply with division (C) above.
(Ord. 235, passed 8-9-1999; Am. Ord. 23-05, passed 10-10-2023) Penalty, see § 10.99