[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of West Manchester 2-28-1991 by Ord. No. 91-01. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The following words, when used in this chapter, shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in this section except where the context
clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
An individual, association, partnership or corporation.
West Manchester Township or the elected officials of West
Manchester Township or the officers and employees of West Manchester
Township.
No person owning real estate within West Manchester Township
shall permit the growth of any grass, weeds or similar vegetation
exceeding a height of eight inches within 150 feet of any developed
parcel or tract of land or within 300 feet of any occupied structure
unless such premises is physically separated by a public street, railroad,
stream, wooded area, hedge row or similar type separation.
Within a residential development, no owner of a vacant building
lot shall permit grass, weeds or similar vegetation to grow to a height
in excess of eight inches, regardless of the distance from developed
parcels or tracts of land.
The following types of areas are exempt from the provisions
of this chapter:
A.
All areas containing crops planted for some useful purpose.
B.
All wooded areas.
D.
All areas planted with vegetation designed to prevent erosion of
steep slopes.
E.
All state game lands.
F.
All cultivated fields and similar areas used for agricultural purposes.
G.
All areas adjacent to streams within 20 feet.
H.
All mature hedgerows.
I.
All areas containing wildflowers and other ornamental plantings.
J.
All areas determined to be wetlands.
K.
All stormwater management areas maintained as natural areas.
The Township is hereby authorized to give notice of the violation
of the terms of this chapter, by personal service or by United States
mail, to the owner of the tract or parcel of land whereon the violation
occurs. The notice to the owner of the premises shall direct the owner
to remove, trim or cut the grass, weeds or vegetation so as to conform
to the requirements and provisions of this chapter. The notice shall
require the owner to comply with the provisions of this chapter within
five days of the date of the notice. In the event that any person
shall neglect, fail or refuse to comply with the provisions of this
chapter within the time provided in the notice or shall thereafter
permit any further violation of this chapter the Township may remove,
trim or cut the grass, weeds or vegetation, and the cost thereof,
together with any additional penalty authorized by law, may be collected
by the Township from such person by the filing of a municipal lien
or by an action of assumpsit or in any other manner as may be provided
by law for the enforcement and collection of municipal claims. It
is the intent of this chapter that only one notice of violation need
be given to any person during the same growing season and that no
additional notices shall be required before penalties for violation
of the provisions of this chapter may be imposed.
[Amended 11-14-1991 by Ord. No. 91-09; 5-9-1996 by Ord. No. 96-14; 6-26-1997 by Ord. No. 97-15]
Any person who shall violate or fail, neglect or refuse to comply
with any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction
thereof in a summary proceeding before a District Justice, be sentenced
to pay a fine of not more than $600, together with costs of prosecution,
and, in default of payment of such fine and costs, to imprisonment
for not more than 30 days. Each day that grass, weeds or similar vegetation
exceeds eight inches in height shall constitute a separate offense.
