This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Yard Maintenance
Law of the Village of Wolcott."
It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health,
safety and general welfare, and to maintain property within the Village
of Wolcott in a safe, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing manner.
The following words, phrases, and terms shall have the following
meanings:
JUNK
Worn out or discarded material of little or no value, including,
but not limited to, household appliances or parts thereof, tools,
discarded building materials, discarded furniture, or any other unsightly
debris, the accumulation of which has an adverse effect upon neighborhood
or Village property values, health, safety, or general welfare.
MOTOR VEHICLE
As defined in § 125 of the New York State Vehicle
and Traffic Law; unlicensed motor vehicles, truck bodies, tractors
or trailers; motor vehicles, truck bodies, tractors or trailers which
do not bear lawful current license plates.
NOXIOUS WEEDS AND GROWTH
Grass, brush, rubbish, or weeds of a nature which are a fire
or health hazard, including lawns in excess of six inches in height.
PERSONS
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company, or organization of any kind. "Persons" shall also include
the occupant of the parcel of land.
No person shall maintain, plant, or permit to remain on any
private property any noxious weeds or growth.
Complaints concerning any violation of this chapter shall be
made in writing, sworn to by the complainant, and filed with the Building
Inspector for the Village of Wolcott, who shall immediately cause
an investigation to be made with respect thereto and the written report
of such investigation filed with the Clerk of the Village.
Any person feeling aggrieved by any such action or notice may,
within three days after the receipt of such notice, demand the matter
be inquired into by the Village Board. Such demand must be in writing,
signed by the person seeking such inquiry, and filed with the Village
Clerk. Within a reasonable time, the Village Board shall schedule
a date, time, and place for a hearing before the Village Board in
which the aggrieved person may address the Village Board. Such hearing
shall be scheduled not less than five business days from the date
of service of the notice.
In the event of the refusal or neglect of the person so notified
to comply with said order of the Village Board and after the hearing,
the Village Board shall provide for the removal of the junk, motor
vehicle, or noxious weeds and growth, as the case may be, either by
Village employees or by contract, and the total cost thereof shall
be assessed upon the real property upon which the motor vehicle, junk,
or noxious weeds and growth are found, and shall constitute a lien
and charge upon the real property on which it is levied, until paid
or otherwise satisfied or discharged, and shall be collected by the
Village Treasurer in the manner provided by law for the collection
of real property taxes.