[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
of the Township of Hatfield 6-14-1973 by Ord. No. 254.1 (Ch. 10, Part 1, of
the 1994 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Yard waste — See Ch. 238.
[1]
Editor’s Note: The title of this chapter was amended
from “Brush, Grass and Weeds” to “Brush, Grass,
Weeds, and Trees” 9-27-2017 by Ord. No. 672.
The short title of this chapter shall be the
"Hatfield Township Weed Ordinance."
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The Hatfield Township Commissioners.
The Building Inspector of Hatfield Township, the Hatfield
Township Police Department, or any other persons designated by the
Commissioners for the enforcement of this chapter.
Any premises, area, open land or improved land whether it
be vacant or not within the Township limits.
Any individual, association, partnership or corporation.
Whenever used in any clause prescribing or imposing a fine or penalty
of imprisonment, the term, as applied to associations, shall mean
any member thereof; as applied to partnerships, shall mean any partner
thereof; and as applied to corporations, shall mean the president,
vice president, treasurer, or secretary thereof.
Hatfield Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Canadian thistle, horse nettle, perennial sowthistle, burdock,
cocklebur, pigweeds, common ragweed, chicory, and any other weeds,
vegetation not edible or planted for a useful or ornamental purpose
which would be detrimental to the health, safety, cleanliness, and
comfort of the inhabitants and general public of Hatfield Township.
[Amended 12-19-2012 by Ord. No. 642]
A.
No person
owning or occupying any property within Hatfield Township shall permit
grass or 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 10 inches within 50 feet of a
property line and/or right-of-way or to throw off any unpleasant or
noxious odor or to conceal any filthy deposit or to create or produce
pollen; nor shall any person permit any grass or weeds or any other
vegetation whatsoever to remain upon any lot or premises which is
a habitation for any rats, mice or rodents of that nature which would
be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare of the Township.
Notwithstanding the provisions above, all grass or weeds or any vegetation
whatsoever not edible or planted for some useful or ornamental purpose
on every property shall be mowed in its entirety so as to not exceed
a height of 10 inches at least twice each year: once by May 15, and
once by September 15.
B.
There shall be a clearance of at least 14 feet from the surface of
any street and at least eight feet from the surface of any sidewalk
to the lowest branch or limb of any tree or other overhanging part
thereof.
[Amended 9-27-2017 by Ord. No.
672]
C.
Any grass, weeds, trees, or other vegetation growing upon a lot or
premises in Hatfield Township in violation of any provision of this
section is hereby declared to be a nuisance and detrimental to the
health, safety, cleanliness and welfare of the residents of Hatfield
Township.
[Added 9-27-2017 by Ord. No. 672]
[Amended 9-27-2017 by Ord. No.
672]
The owner of any premises, as to vacant premises or premises occupied by the owner, or the occupant thereof, in the case of premises occupied by other than the owner thereof, shall remove, trim or cut all grass, weeds, trees, or other vegetation growing or remaining upon such lot or premises in violation of § 88-3 of this chapter.
The inspector is hereby empowered by citation
to require compliance with this chapter upon giving five days' written
notice to the owner, occupier or tenant of such lot or premises. The
notice shall either be served personally or sent by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested, requiring the owner, occupier or tenant
of such land to comply within five days with the provisions of this
chapter.
[Amended 9-27-2017 by Ord. No. 672]
If the grass, weeds, tree, or other vegetation referred to in § 88-4 is not removed within the prescribed period of time as set forth in § 88-5, then the same may be removed by or under the direction of the inspector and with such tools, equipment and materials as deemed necessary by the inspector or other person designated by the Commissioners of Hatfield Township. The cost thereof, together with ten-percent penalty and all costs of prosecution as provided by law, shall be collected by municipal lien or by an action of assumpsit or by any other manner provided by law.
[Amended 9-28-1994 by Ord. No. 420]
Any person who shall violate any provision of
this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a
fine not exceeding $600 and costs and, in default of payment thereof,
shall be subject to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days.
Each day that a violation of this chapter continues shall constitute
a separate offense.
