[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Munhall 2-16-1984 by Ord. No. 1292. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It is the intent, purpose and scope of this chapter to regulate
permissive growth of ragweed and/or other species of noxious weeds,
grass or other vegetation detrimental to the health and comfort of
the residents and visitors of the Borough of Munhall.
No person, firm or corporation, owning or occupying any property
within the Borough of Munhall shall permit any grass, weeds or any
vegetation whatsoever, not edible or planted for some useful or ornamental
purpose, to grow or remain upon such premises so as to exceed a height
of 12 inches, or to throw off any unpleasant or noxious odor, or to
conceal any filthy deposit or to create or produce pollen. Any grass,
weeds or other vegetation growing upon any premises in the Borough
of Munhall in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is
hereby declared to be a nuisance and detrimental to the health, safety,
cleanliness and comfort of the inhabitants of the Borough.
The owner of any premises, as to vacant premises or premises occupied by the owner, and the occupant thereof, in case of premises occupied by other than the owner thereof, shall provide for the removal, trimming or cutting of all grass, weeds, or other vegetation growing or remaining upon such premises in violation of the provisions of § 248-2 of this chapter.
The Borough shall cause to be published in the regular newspapers of the Borough once during the month of April of each year hereafter, a notice declaring such growth as is described in § 248-2 of this chapter to be a nuisance and dangerous to the public health, and ordering same to be removed, cut or otherwise abated to meet with the specifications provided for same in § 248-2 of this chapter, wherever such growth is found within the Borough.
The Borough Council, or any officer or employee of the Borough designated thereby for the purpose, is hereby authorized to give notice, by personal service or by registered United States mail, to the owner, occupant or agent thereof, as the case may be, of any premises whereon grass, weeds or other vegetation is growing or remaining in violation of the provisions of § 248-2 of this chapter; directing and requiring such owner, occupant or agent to remove, trim or cut such grass, weeds or vegetation, so as to conform to the specifications of this chapter, within five days after issuance of such notice. In case any person, firm or corporation shall neglect, fail or refuse to comply with such notice, within the time stated therein, the Borough authorities may remove, trim or cut such grass, weeds or vegetation to the specified restriction of § 248-2 of this chapter, and the cost thereof, together with any additional penalty authorized by the law, may be collected by the Borough from such person, firm or corporation, in the manner provided by law.
Whenever the owner, occupant or agent thereof of any land on which such grass, weeds or vegetation grow in violation of § 248-2 of this chapter is unknown or cannot be found, the Borough shall give notice of the order to destroy and remove such weeds, grass or vegetation, by posting a copy of such order conspicuously on the property wherein the nuisance or growth exists. If such notice is not complied with five days after posting of same, the Borough shall cause the property to be entered upon and the nuisance of grass, weed or other vegetation to be destroyed and removed.
Within 15 days after abating the nuisance as herein provided,
the Borough Council shall prepare and submit to the Borough Solicitor
a statement, including the following:
A.
The name of the registered owner of the land on which the nuisance
existed.
B.
A description of the property before entering; after nuisance abatement.
C.
When and how notice provided for herein was given, together with
a copy of said notices.
D.
Dates of commencement and completion of work by the Borough to abate
the nuisance.
E.
Kind and character of work done and expense incurred thereby.
Based upon the statement furnished by the Borough Council as
herein provided, the Solicitor of the Borough of Munhall shall prepare
and file in the name of the Borough of Munhall a municipal claim as
provided by law against the land (hence, owners thereof) from which
the weeds, grass or vegetation were destroyed and the nuisance abated.
[Amended 8-27-2003 by Ord. No. 1488[1]]
Any person, firm or corporation who or which shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine as provided in Chapter 1, Article II, General Penalty, of the Code of the Borough of Munhall, plus costs, and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. Provided, each day's violation shall constitute a separate offense, and notice to the offender shall not be necessary in order to constitute an offense.
[Added 7-19-1995 by Ord. No. 1388]
A.
This chapter shall apply to all areas in the Borough with only the
following exceptions:
B.
Notwithstanding the above-listed exclusions, all properties in the
Borough must be mowed and otherwise maintained in accordance with
the provisions of this chapter and shall not be hereby excluded for
a minimum distance of 50 feet from any street right-of-way.
