[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Bethel 10-11-1966 by Ord. No. 27. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Nuisances — See Ch. 280.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 315.
Trees — See Ch. 426.
The growth, maintenance or accumulation of weeds, grasses, trees, vines, bushes or other vegetable growth upon any lot, yard, area or piece of ground within the Township of Bethel, is declared to constitute a public nuisance, wherever and whenever the same shall cause or contribute to the causing of any of the following conditions to exist:
A. 
Said weeds, bushes, etc. shall encroach upon any sidewalk, street, alley or roadway to the inconvenience, danger, annoyance or impediment of persons passing on said streets or sidewalks, etc.
B. 
Said weeds, bushes, etc. shall prevent the clear view of motor traffic by users of the adjoining streets.
C. 
Said weeds, bushes, etc. shall be of such a nature as to cause or aggravate hay fever or other allergy diseases.
D. 
Said weeds, bushes, etc. shall cause or tend to cause the breeding, growth or harboring of mosquitoes, flies or other insects.
E. 
Said weeds, bushes, etc. shall cause or tend to cause the breeding, growth or harboring of rats, mice or other rodents.
F. 
Said weeds, bushes, etc. shall cause or create a fire hazard.
G. 
Said weeds, bushes, etc. shall in any way be detrimental to the health or safety of the public.
Whenever any condition as set forth in § 112-1 of this chapter shall be found to exist, any officer or employee of the Township of Bethel shall notify in writing the owner, tenant, occupier or agent of the property, where the violation exists, to remove or abate the condition in such manner and within such time as said officer shall direct. The notice shall be signed by the Township Secretary. It shall be served upon said owner, tenant, occupier or agent either personally or by registered mail or by posting of premises if none of the above can be found or ascertained.
In the event that said notice is not complied with and said nuisance abated as directed, the Board of Supervisors of Bethel Township or their duly authorized representative, may at their election and discretion take either of the following actions:
A. 
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before a Magisterial District Judge, pay the maximum amount authorized by the provisions of 53 P.S. § 66601(c.1), plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the Township in the enforcement of this chapter.
[Amended 6-9-1996 by Ord. No. 132]
B. 
Cause the condition to be removed or abated by Township employees. Thereafter the cost of such removal or abatement plus a service charge shall be certified to the Township Secretary. The Township Secretary shall then collect the same by a civil action before any Magisterial District Judge or he may direct the Township Solicitor to file a lien against the property.