[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Dickinson
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 5-6-1992 by L.L. No. 3-1992 (Ch. 103 of the 1983
Code)]
This chapter shall be known as the "Weeds, Tall Grass and Objectionable
Vegetation Law of the Town of Dickinson."
This chapter is enacted for the purpose of promoting the health,
safety and general welfare of Town residents by controlling the accumulation
of weeds, tall grass and other objectionable vegetation on private
and public property in the area of the Town of Dickinson outside the
Incorporated Village of Port Dickinson.
As used in this chapter, the following words, terms and phrases
shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
Such vegetation as poison ivy, jimsonweed, ragweed or other
poisonous or harmful plant or plants detrimental to the public health.
Plant matter such as brush, grass, leaves, weeds and tree
trimmings which has been cut or harvested.
This chapter is applicable to any lot or tract of land in the
Town of Dickinson outside the Incorporated Village of Port Dickinson,
except for such lots of five or more acres, wherein the provisions
of this chapter, as they relate to weeds, tall grass and other objectionable
vegetation, shall not apply.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee or occupant or any agent,
servant, representative or employee of any such owner, lessee or occupant
having control of any occupied or unoccupied lot or tract or any part
thereof in the Town of Dickinson to permit or maintain on any such
lot or tract any growth of weeds, grass or other objectionable vegetation
to a height greater than 10 inches on the average or any accumulation
of yard waste or to permit or maintain on or along the sidewalk, street
or alley adjacent to such lot or tract, between the property line
and the curb or between the property line and the traveled portion
of such street or alley where there is no curb, any growth of weeds
or grass to a height greater than six inches on the average.
[Amended 11-9-2009 by L.L. No. 5-2009]
B.
It shall be unlawful for any such person or persons to cause, suffer
or allow any vegetation, including but not limited to weeds, tall
grass and objectionable vegetation, to grow on any such lot or tract
in any such manner that any part of such vegetation shall extend upon
or overhang any public sidewalk, roadway or curb. It shall also be
unlawful for any person or persons to cause grass clippings to be
deposited in the area of curbs, streets or roadways such that said
clippings could eventually restrict storm drains or enter storm drains
that carry surface waters to the Susquehanna River Basin.
[Amended 2-3-1993 by Ord. No. 2-1993; 5-12-2014 by L.L. No. 3-2014]
C.
Upon the failure of any such person or persons to cut, trim or remove
weeds, grass, other objectionable vegetation or yard waste within
10 days from the time a notice to cut, trim or remove such weeds,
grass, other objectionable vegetation or yard waste has been served,
the Town of Dickinson may cause such weeds, grass, other objectionable
vegetation or yard waste to be cut, trimmed or removed and the total
cost thereof, including but not limited to moneys actually paid out
by the Town, time and expenses of the Town officials and employees
involved in the service of the notice and the actual cutting, trimming
or removal of the weeds, grass, other objectionable vegetation or
yard waste in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of
this chapter, shall be assessed upon the real property on which such
weeds, grass, other objectionable vegetation or yard waste were found,
and the expense so assessed shall constitute a lien and charge on
the real property on which it is levied until paid or otherwise satisfied
or discharged and shall be collected in the same manner and at the
same time as other Town charges.
Any notice required to be served pursuant to the provisions
of this chapter shall be served as follows:
A.
By mail to the owner addressed to the last known address of the owner;
and
B.
By attaching or placing a copy of said notice upon any structure
on said lot or tract of land and, if no structure is available upon
said lot or tract of land, by attaching said notice upon the nearest
utility pole or other support.
[Amended 11-9-2009 by L.L. No. 5-2009]
A violation of any provision of this chapter is an offense punishable
by a fine not to exceed $250 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed
15 days, or both. Each week's violation shall constitute a separate
offense punishable by like penalty.
