[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Lancaster as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Nuisances — See Ch. 316.
Trees and shrubs — See Ch. 386.
[Adopted 8-15-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-06 as §§ 11.06 and 11.20 of the 2005 Code]
In order to prevent the growth and pollination of weeds and grasses which cause or produce hay fever, exhale unpleasant or noxious odors, conceal filthy deposits or create unsightly and vermin-infested areas, every property owner shall mow, or cause to be mowed, upon his premises and parkways abutting his premises all grasses or weeds growing within the corporate limits on land not solely used for agricultural purposes to a height not to exceed 12 inches.
The Director of Public Works shall enforce this article, and if any person shall fail to comply herewith, the Director of Public Works shall, after five days' written notice to the owner, cause the premises to be mowed and report the cost thereof in writing to the City Clerk/Treasurer, and the City shall recover such costs through an action or in any other manner provided by the Wisconsin Statutes.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction of such violation, be subject to a penalty as provided in § 1-4 of this Municipal Code.
[Adopted 11-17-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-05]
Yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings, and soil/sediment can cause significant water quality problems when it is blown or directed into the stormwater system. Water quality problems include algal blooms and aquatic weed growth, oxygen depletion, fish kills, and impaired aquatic habitat. In addition, when the stormwater system is clogged with yard waste, it can cause street and property flooding.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally or purposefully rake, sweep, blow, wash, direct or place any debris, including but not limited to yard waste, grass clippings, leaves, sediment, trash, or debris of any kind, into the storm drainage system of the City, including any streets, storm drains, ditches, swales, streams, culverts, rights-of-way, and dedicated easements, or in any other area where it might impede the flow of water through the storm drainage system of the City.
B. 
It shall be the duty of all property owners within the City to take adequate precautions on their property to ensure positive drainage on their property. Such drainage may be provided either through natural or artificial drains found to be adequate by the City's Public Works Director. The owner shall keep all ditches, drains, swales, and drainage routes free from obstructions which impede the flow of water.
A. 
Any condition in violation of this article shall constitute a public nuisance, subject to abatement as set forth in the City of Lancaster Code of Ordinances.
B. 
The Public Works Director shall enforce the provisions of this article.
C. 
The Public Works Director shall have the right to enter upon all lands for inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing and taking other actions to determine compliance with this article.
D. 
No person shall obstruct, hamper or interfere with the Public Works Director or designee while he/she is carrying out official duties.