The growth or accumulation of tall grasses or weeds, as defined
hereinbelow, on any premises is unlawful.
Any employee of the Municipality is designated as the administrative
officer to enforce this chapter, and he or she is hereby authorized
and empowered to immediately issue a ticket, in writing, to any person
or entity who is the owner, occupier or agent for the owner of any
such lot, place or area within the Municipality of Norristown where
tall grass or weeds are found growing, lying or located on such property
or upon the sidewalk abutting the same.
Any person or entity violating any provision of this chapter
shall be subject to the following procedure:
A. The municipal official shall issue a written ticket to the owner
of the property which shall provide for a penalty of $20. If this
penalty is paid within seven days of its issue and the condition that
warranted the ticket is abated, then the violation is discharged.
This penalty may be adjusted from time to time by resolution of the
Municipal Council.
B. If the violator does not pay the penalty of $20 or does not abate the condition that warranted the issuance of the ticket as provided for in this chapter, then the Municipality shall cause a non-traffic citation to be issued for the violation of this chapter. The Municipality may also cause the condition to be abated in accordance with §
315-3 of this chapter.
C. The non-traffic citation shall be forwarded to and adjudicated by
a Magisterial District Judge of the Municipality. If found guilty
of the violation, the violator shall be sentenced to a fine of no
less than $300 nor more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution and
reasonable attorneys' fees.
D. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues shall constitute
a separate offense. In default of payment of said fine, costs and
fees, the violator may be imprisoned in the county jail for a term
of not more than 30 days.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
TALL GRASS OR WEEDS
Any uncontrolled, uncultivated plant growth in excess of
eight inches in height; a plant, grass or weed considered invasive,
undesirable or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not
wanted.