[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Princeton as Title 8, Ch. 1, of the City Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Hazardous materials — See Ch. 200.
Public nuisances — See Ch. 261.
Pollution — See Ch. 282.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 290.
Solid waste — See Ch. 312.
Trees and shrubs — See Ch. 348.
The Common Council, acting as Board of Health, may make reasonable and general rules for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and for the prevention of the creation of health nuisances and the protection of the public health and welfare and may, where appropriate, require the issuance of licenses and permits. All such regulations shall have the same effect as ordinances, and any person violating any of such regulations and any lawful order of the Common Council shall be subject to the general penalty provided for in this Code.
A. 
Defined. A "health nuisance" is any source of filth or cause of sickness.
B. 
Duty to abate. The Common Council shall abate health nuisances pursuant to Ch. 823, Wis. Stats., which is adopted by reference and made a part of this section.
No person shall deposit or cause to be deposited in any public street or on any public ground or on any private property not his/her own any refuse, garbage, litter, waste material or liquid or any other objectionable material or liquid. When any such material is placed on the person's own private property, it shall be properly enclosed and covered so as to prevent the same from becoming a public nuisance.
A. 
The City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer shall annually on or before May 15 publish as required by state law a notice that every person is required by law to destroy all noxious weeds on lands in the City which he/she owns, occupies or controls. A joint notice with other towns or municipalities may be utilized.
B. 
If the owner or occupant shall neglect to destroy any weeds as required by such notice, then the Weed Commissioner or his/her designee of the City shall give five days' written notice by mail to the owner or occupant of any lands upon which the weeds shall be growing to the effect that said Weed Commissioner or his/her designee after the expiration of the five-day period will proceed to destroy or cause to be destroyed all such weeds growing upon said lands and that the cost thereof will be assessed as a tax upon the lands upon which such weeds are located under the provisions of §§ 66.0407 and 66.0627, Wis. Stats. In case the owner or occupant shall further neglect to comply within such five-day notice, then the Weed Commissioner or his/her designee shall destroy such weeds or cause them to be destroyed in the manner deemed to be the most economical method and the expense thereof, including the cost of billing and other necessary administrative expenses, shall be charged against such lots and be collected as a special tax thereon.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
C. 
As provided for in §§ 66.0407 and 66.0627, Wis. Stats., the City shall require that all noxious weeds shall be destroyed prior to the time in which such plants would mature to the bloom or flower state. The growth of noxious weeds in excess of six inches in height from the ground surface shall be prohibited within the City of Princeton corporate limits. Noxious weeds shall include any weed, grass or similar plant growth which, if allowed to pollinate, would cause or produce hay fever in human beings or would cause a skin rash through contact with the skin.
(1) 
Noxious weeds, as defined in this section and in § 205-6, shall include but not be limited to the following:
Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle)
Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed)
Ambrosia trifida (great ragweed)
Euphorbia esula (leafy spurge)
Convolvulus arvensis (creeping Jenny) (field bindweed)
Tragopogon dubius (goat's beard)
Rhus radicans (poison ivy)
Cirsium vulgaries (bull thistle)
Pastinaca sativa (wild parsnip)
Arctium minus (burdock)
Xanthium strumarium (cocklebur)
Amaranthus retroflexus (pigweed)
Chenopodium album (common lamb's quarter)
Rurnex crispus (curled dock)
Cannabis sativa (hemp)
Plantago lancellata (English plantain)
(2) 
Noxious grasses, as defined in this section and in § 205-6, shall include but not be limited to the following:
Agrostia alba (redtop)
Sorghum halepense (Johnson)
Setaria (foxtail)
(3) 
Noxious weeds are also the following plants and other rank growth:
Ragweed
Thistles
Smartweed
Dandelions (over six inches in height)
A. 
Natural lawns defined. "Natural landscape" as used in this section shall include common species of grass and wild flowers native to North America which are designed and purposely cultivated to exceed six inches in height from the ground. Specifically excluded in natural lawns are the noxious grasses and weeds identified in § 205-4 of this chapter. The growth of natural landscaping in excess of six inches in height from the ground surface shall be prohibited within the City of Princeton corporate limits unless a natural lawn management plan is approved and a permit is issued by the City as set forth in this section. Natural landscaping shall not contain litter or debris and shall not harbor undesirable wildlife.
B. 
Natural landscape management plan defined.
(1) 
"Natural landscape management plan" as used in this section shall mean a written plan relating to the management and maintenance of a natural landscape which contains the street address or a legal description of the property where the proposed natural landscape is being requested, and which would exceed six inches, a statement of intent and purpose for the lawn, a detailed description of the vegetational types, plants and plant succession involved, and the specific management and maintenance techniques to be employed.
(2) 
Property owner to submit plan; City property excluded.
(a) 
Property owners who wish to plant and cultivate a natural landscape must submit their written plan and related information to the City. "Property owner" shall be defined to include the legal title holder and/or the beneficial owner of any such lot according to most current City records. Natural landscape management plans shall only indicate the planting and cultivating of natural landscapes on property legally owned by the property owner.
(b) 
Applicants are strictly prohibited from developing a natural landscape on any City-owned property including street rights-of-way. This shall include at a minimum property located between the sidewalk and the street or a strip not less than 10 feet adjacent to the street where there is no sidewalk whether the area is under public or private ownership.
(3) 
In addition, natural landscapes shall not be permitted within five feet of the abutting property owner's property unless waived in writing by the abutting property owner on the side so affected. Such waiver is to be affixed to the lawn management plan. Such waiver may be revoked, in writing, by the abutting property owner at a later time, a copy to be filed with the permittee and the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer.
(4) 
Any subsequent property owner who abuts an approved natural landscape may revoke the waiver thereby requiring the owner of the natural landscape to remove the natural lawn that is located in the five-foot section abutting the neighboring property owner. Such revocation shall be put in writing and presented to the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer by the subsequent abutting property owner. Upon receiving the written request to revoke the original waiver, the Common Council shall contact the owner of the approved natural landscape and direct the owner to remove the natural landscape located in the ten-foot section abutting the neighboring property owner. The Common Council shall revise the approved natural lawn management permit accordingly. The owner of the approved landscape lawn shall be required to remove the five-foot section abutting the neighboring property owner within 20 days of receipt of the written notification from the City, provided the notification is received sometime between May 1 and November 1. Property owners who receive notification from the City between November 1 and April 30 shall be required to remove the ten-foot section abutting the neighboring property owner no later than May 20 following receipt of the notification.
C. 
Application process.
(1) 
Property owners interested in applying for permission to establish a natural landscape shall file an application with the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer. The completed application shall include a natural landscape management plan. Upon submitting a completed application, a nonrefundable filing fee as prescribed in Chapter 182, Fees, will be assessed by the City. Upon receiving payment, copies of the completed application shall be mailed by the City to each of the owners of record, as listed in the office of the City Assessor, who are owners of the property situated wholly or in part within 300 feet of the boundaries of the properties for which the application is made. If within 15 calendar days of mailing the copies of the complete application to the neighboring property owners the City receives written objections from 51% or more of the neighboring property owners, the City shall deny the application. "Neighboring property owners" shall be defined as all those property owners who are located within 300 feet of the proposed natural landscape site.
(2) 
If the property owner's application is in full compliance with the natural landscape management plan requirements and less than 51% of the neighboring property owners provide written objections, the Common Council may issue permission to install a natural landscape. Such permit shall be valid for two years. Permit renewals shall follow the procedures in this section.
D. 
Application for appeal. The property owner may appeal the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer's decision to deny the natural lawn permit request to the Common Council at an open meeting. All applications for appeal shall be submitted within 15 calendar days of the notice of denial of the natural lawn management plan. The decision rendered by the Common Council shall be final and binding.
E. 
Prohibited plant species. The following noxious grasses or weeds will not be allowed in a natural landscape area:
Common Name(s)
Latin Name(s)
Buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica
Rhamnus frangula
Burdock (yellowdock)
Artium lappa
Field bindweed (wild morning glory)
Convolvulus arvensis
Garlic mustard
Alliaria petiolata
Goatsbeard (oyster plant, salsify)
Tragopogon porrifolius
Leafy spurge
Euphorbia esula
Marijuana
Cannabis sativa
Nettle
Urtica dioica
Oxeye daisy
Chrysanthemum leucanthemu
Pigweed (lamb's quarters)
Chenopodium album
Pigweed (amaranth)
Amaranthus retroflexus
Poison ivy
Rhus radicans
Quackgrass
Bromus brizaeformis
Ragweed (common)
Ambrosia artemisifoia
Ragweed (great)
Ambrosia trifida
Spotted knapweed
Centaurea maculosa
Thistle bull
Cirsium vulgare
Thistle Canada
Cirsium arbense
Thistle musk or nodding
Carduus nutans
Thistle star (caltrops)
Centaurea calicitrapa
Thistle sow (field)
Sonchus arvensis
Thistle sow (common)
Sonchus oleraceus
Thistle sow (spiny leaved)
Sonchus asper
Sweet clover (yellow)
Melilotus officinalis
Sweet clover (white)
Melilotus alba
Yellow mustard (yellow rocket)
Barbarea vulgaris
(Winter cress)
Japanese bamboo
Wild mustard
F. 
Safety precautions for natural grass areas.
(1) 
When, in the opinion of the Fire Chief of the Department serving the City of Princeton, the presence of a natural landscape may constitute a fire or safety hazard due to weather and/or other conditions, the Fire Chief may order the cutting of natural landscapes to a safe condition. As a condition of receiving approval of the natural landscapes permit, the property owner shall be required to cut the natural lawn within the three days upon receiving written direction from the Fire Chief.
(2) 
Natural landscapes shall not be removed through the process of burning unless stated and approved as one of the management and maintenance techniques in the landscape management plan, and appropriate City open burning permits have been obtained. The Fire Chief shall review all requests to burn natural landscapes and shall determine if circumstances are correct and all applicable requirements have been fulfilled to insure public safety. Burning of natural landscapes shall be strictly prohibited unless a written permit to burn is issued by the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief shall establish a written list of requirements for considering each request to burn natural landscapes, thereby insuring the public safety. In addition, the property owner requesting permission to burn the natural landscapes shall produce evidence of property damage and liability insurance identifying the City as a party insured. A minimum amount of acceptable insurance shall be $300,000.
G. 
Revocation of an approved natural landscape management plan permit. The Weed Commissioner or his/her designee shall have the authority to revoke an approved natural landscape management plan permit if the owner fails to maintain the natural landscape or comply with the provisions set forth in this section. Notice of intent to revoke an approved natural landscape management plan permit shall be appealable to the Common Council. All applications for appeal shall be submitted within 15 calendar days of receipt of the written notice of intent to revoke the approved natural landscape management plan. Failure to file an application for appeal within the 15 calendar days shall result in the revoking of the natural landscape management plan permit. All written applications for appeal filed within the 15 calendar day requirement shall be reviewed by the Common Council in an open meeting. The decision rendered by the Common Council shall be final and binding.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
H. 
Public nuisance defined; abatement after notice.
(1) 
The growth of a natural landscape as defined in this section shall be considered a public nuisance unless a natural landscape management plan has been filed and approved and a permit is issued by the City as set forth in this section. Violators shall be served with a notice of public nuisance by certified mail to the last-known mailing address of the property owner.
(2) 
If the person so served with a notice of public nuisance violation does not abate the nuisance within 10 days, the Enforcement Officer may proceed to abate such nuisance, keeping an account of the expense of the abatement, and such expense shall be charged to and paid by such property owner. Notice of the bill for abatement of the public nuisance shall be mailed to the owner of the premises and shall be payable within 10 calendar days from receipt thereof. Within 60 days after such costs and expenses are incurred and remain unpaid, the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer shall enter those charges onto the tax roll as a special tax as provided by state statute.
(3) 
The failure of the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer to record such claim or to mail such notice or the failure of the owner to receive such notice shall not affect the right to place the City expense on the tax rolls for unpaid bills for abating the public nuisance as provided for in this section.
I. 
Penalty.
(1) 
Any person, firm or corporation which does not abate the nuisance within the required time period or who otherwise violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to the general penalty found in § 1-3 of Chapter 1, Article I, Construction and Penalties.
(2) 
In addition to any penalties herein provided, the City may issue stop-work orders upon owners of lots where work is unfinished under a previously issued permit for any violation of this section.
A. 
Purpose. This section is adopted due to the unique nature of the problems associated with lawns, grasses and noxious weeds being allowed to grow to excessive length in the City of Princeton.
B. 
Public nuisance declared. The Common Council finds that lawns, grasses and noxious weeds on nonagricultural lots or parcels of land, as classified under the City Zoning Code, within the City of Princeton which exceed six inches in length adversely affect the public health and safety of the public in that they tend to emit pollen and other discomforting bits of plants, constitute a fire hazard and a safety hazard in that debris can be hidden in the grass, interferes with the public convenience and adversely affects property values of other land within the City. For that reason, any nonagricultural lawn, grass or weed on a lot or other parcel of land which exceeds six inches in length is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, except for property located in a designated floodplain area and/or wetland area or where the lawn, grass or weed is part of a natural lawn approved pursuant to § 205-5 above.
C. 
Nuisances prohibited. No person, firm or corporation shall permit any public nuisance as defined in Subsection B above to remain on any premises owned or controlled by him/her within the City.
D. 
Inspection. The Weed Commissioner or his/her designee shall inspect or cause to be inspected all premises and places within the City to determine whether any public nuisance as defined in Subsection B above exists.
E. 
Abatement of nuisance.
[Amended 6-13-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-16[1]]
(1) 
If the Common Council finds that the owner or occupant shall neglect to cut any lawns as required herein, then, upon the first offense, the City Administrator or his designee shall give written notice by mail to the owner or occupant of any lands upon which the lawn is growing in violation herewith to the effect that said Weed Commissioner or his/her designee, seven days from the date of the notice, will proceed to mow or have mown the lawn to meet the requirements of this section and that the cost of said mowing will be assessed as a tax upon the lands upon which said lawn is growing pursuant to the provisions of § 66.0627, Wis. Stats. Such notice shall be in writing and mailed by first-class mail addressed to the landowner's last known address, as reflected in City records. The actual receipt of such notice is not a prerequisite to enforcement of this section. Written notice will not be sent for subsequent offenses within the same calendar year.
(2) 
In case the owner or occupant shall further neglect to comply with said seven-day notice, then the Weed Commissioner or his/her designee shall mow or have mown said lawns to comply with this section in an economical method and shall include the cost of said mowing and the cost of billing and administrative expenses and shall charge said costs against the property and be collected as a special tax thereon. The property owner shall be charged a minimum rate as noted on the Fee Schedule of Chapter 182, Fees. The time charge for such mowing and cutting shall include time involved in loading and unloading equipment, and transportation to and from the site as well as any administrative fees. Subsequent offenses will result in this rate and will be subject to the standards of Chapter 261, Nuisances, Public.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
F. 
Due process hearing. If the owner believes that his/her grasses or weeds are not a nuisance, he/she may request a hearing before the Common Council. The request for said hearing must be made in writing to the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer's office within the five days set forth in the Weed Commissioner's or his/her designee's notice. Upon application for the hearing, the property owner must deposit a twenty-five-dollar bond. If a decision is rendered in the property owner's favor, the $25 will be returned to the property owner. If the property owner fails to appear for the hearing or if the decision is rendered against the property owner, the deposit shall be forfeited and applied to the cost of City personnel abating the nuisance, if necessary. When a hearing is requested by the owner of the property, a hearing by the Common Council shall be held within seven days from the date of the owner's request. The property in question will not be mowed by the City until such time as the hearing is held by the Common Council. At the hearing, the owner may appear in person or by his/her attorney, may present witnesses in his/her own behalf and may cross-examine witnesses presented by the City as well as subpoena witnesses for his/her own case. At the close of the hearing, the Common Council shall make its determination in writing specifying its findings, facts, and conclusions. If the Common Council determines that a public nuisance did exist, the Common Council shall order the Weed Commissioner or his/her designee to mow the property in question unless the property has been mowed by the owner within 48 hours of the Common Council's decision. If the owner does not abate the nuisance within the described 48 hours, the Weed Commissioner or his/her designee shall cause the same nuisance to be abated and cost in excess of the forfeited fee assessed accordingly.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
G. 
City's option to abate nuisance. In any case where the owner, occupant or person in charge of the property shall fail to cut his/her lawn, grass or weeds as set forth above, then, and in that event, the City may elect to cut said lawn, grass or weeds as follows:
(1) 
The written notice required in Subsection E shall inform said person that in the event of his/her failure to abate the nuisance within the prescribed time, the City shall abate the same and the cost thereof shall be assessed to the property owner as a special charge.
(2) 
The City shall cut or cause to be cut all grass and weeds from the subject's property and shall charge the expenses of so doing at a rate as established by resolution by the Common Council. The charges shall be set forth in a statement to the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer who, in turn, shall mail the same to the owner, occupant or person in charge of the subject premises. If said statement is not paid in full within 30 days thereafter, the City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer shall enter the charges in the tax roll as a special tax against said lot or parcel of land, and the same shall be collected in all respects like other taxes upon real estate, or as provided under § 66.0907, Wis. Stats.
A. 
When required. Whenever a sewer or water main becomes available to any building used for human habitation, the owner of the property upon which the building is located shall connect the building to such main or mains in the manner prescribed by law, except the Common Council may defer connection to such water or sewer main or mains for those properties which have existing septic systems or wells whose construction was permitted by the City of Princeton, but such deferment shall not exceed one year from the date of installation of such main or mains.
B. 
Notice. Whenever a sewer or water main becomes available to any building used for human habitation, the Building Inspector shall notify the owner or his/her agent in writing by registered mail addressed to the last known address of the owner or his/her agent.
C. 
City may cause connection at expense of owner. If the owner or his/her agent fails to comply with the notice within 10 days of service or mailing thereof, the City may cause connection to be made and the expense thereof shall be assessed as a special tax against the property.
D. 
Privies, cesspools, etc., prohibited after connection with sewer. After connection of any building used for human habitation to a sewer main, no privy, cesspool or waterless toilet shall be used in connection with such human habitation.
A. 
Inspections.
(1) 
Whenever the Zoning Administrator, Fire Inspector, Chief of Police, or other authorized City official shall, upon inspection of any premises within the City of Princeton find that there is deposited, placed, stored or remaining on said premises any garbage, junk, rubbish, rubble, trash, abandoned, construction materials, rotting yard and orchard waste, merchandise or parts, accumulation of grease or food wastes in a grease trap or other place or depository which presents a risk of clogging or blocking a sewer system, or any other unhealthy, hazardous or unsightly materials or thing which create a fire or health hazard, or which is detrimental to the appearance, neatness and cleanliness of the immediate neighborhood or the City of Princeton in general, such official shall issue his/her written order to the owner and/or occupant of the premises to remove said garbage, junk, rubbish, rubble or trash, abandoned, outmoded, or nonsalable merchandise or parts, construction materials, rotting yard and orchard waste, accumulation of grease or food wastes in a grease trap or other place or depository which presents a risk of clogging or blocking a sewer system, or other unhealthy, hazardous or unsightly materials or things.
(2) 
Said written order shall provide that such removal shall be accomplished within 10 days after service of said order upon the owner or occupant of the premises involved. Such written order, in addition to specifying and describing the material or things to be removed, shall also set forth on the face thereof the provisions of Subsection B.
(3) 
Prosecution of violators under this section shall not preclude other enforcement actions allowed by law, including other actions under this Code of Ordinances.
B. 
Appeal. Any person feeling himself/herself aggrieved by any order of a City official under this section may, within 10 days from the date of receipt of such order, appeal such order to the Common Council.
C. 
Exceptions. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit the depositing of rubbish, rubble, junk, trash, abandoned, outmoded or nonsalable merchandise or parts or unsightly materials or things which are:
(1) 
Lawfully sited pursuant to Chapter 430, Zoning, and operated in a manner not constituting a nuisance; or
(2) 
Temporarily deposited due to an emergency; or
(3) 
Materials during construction; or
(4) 
Collected and piled for immediate pickup and disposal by the City or by private means.
D. 
Nonconforming uses. It shall not be a defense to the provisions of this section that the owner or occupant of the premises involved has a nonconforming use under the provisions of Chapter 430, Zoning, but the provisions of this section shall be complied with notwithstanding that the owner or occupant of any given premises is using or occupying such premises under a valid nonconforming use.
A. 
Definitions. The following definitions shall be applicable in this section:
HARDWARE CLOTH
Wire screening of such thickness and spacing as to afford reasonable protection against the entrance of rodents.
OWNER or MANAGER
Whenever any person or persons shall be in actual possession of or have charge, care or control of any property within the City, as executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or agent, such person or persons shall be deemed and taken to be the owner or owners of such property within the true intent and meaning of this section and shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this section to the same extent as the owner, and notice to any such person of any order or decision of the Building Inspector or his/her designee shall be deemed and taken to be a good and sufficient notice, as if such person or persons were actually the owner or owners of such property, except that whenever an entire premises or building is occupied as a place of business, such as a store, factory, warehouse, rooming house, junkyard, lumber yard or any other business under a single management, the person, firm or corporation in charge of such business shall be considered the owner or manager.
RODENT HARBORAGE
Any place where rodents can live and nest without fear of frequent molestation or disturbance.
RODENT-PROOF CONTAINER
A container constructed of concrete or metal, or the container shall be lined with metal or other material that is impervious to rodents, and openings into the container such as doors shall be tight-fitting to prevent the entrance of rodents.
RODENT-PROOFING
Consists of closing openings in building foundations and openings under and around doors, windows, vents and other places which could provide means of entry for rodents, with concrete, sheet iron, hardware cloth or other types of rodent-proofing material approved by the City.
B. 
Elimination of rodent harborages. Whenever accumulations of rubbish, boxes, lumber, scrap metal, car bodies or any other materials provide rodent harborage, the person, firm or corporation owning or in control of such materials shall cause the materials to be removed or the materials shall be stored so as to eliminate the rodent harborage. Lumber boxes and similar materials shall be neatly piled. These piles shall be raised at least a foot above the ground. When the owner of the materials cannot be found after a reasonable search, the owner or manager of the premises on which the materials are stored shall be responsible for disposal, or proper piling, of the materials.
C. 
Elimination of rodent-feeding places. No person, firm or corporation shall place, or allow to accumulate, any materials that may serve as a food for rodents in a site accessible to rodents. Any waste material that may serve as food for rodents shall be stored in rodent-proof containers. Feed for birds shall be placed on raised platforms, or such feed shall be placed where it is not accessible to rodents.
D. 
Extermination. Whenever rodent holes, burrows or other evidence of rodent infestation are found on any premises or in any building within the City, it shall be the duty of the owner or manager of such property to exterminate the rodents or to cause the rodents to be exterminated. Within 10 days after extermination, the owner or manager shall cause all of the rodent holes or burrows in the ground to be filled with earth or other suitable material.
E. 
Rodent-proofing. It shall be the duty of the owner or manager of any building in the City of Princeton to make such building reasonably rodent-proof, to replace broken basement windows and, when necessary, to cover the basement window openings with hardware cloth or other suitable material for preventing rodents from entering the building through such window openings.
A. 
Purpose and intent. The purpose of this section is to promote the recycling of yard wastes and certain kitchen wastes through composting and to establish minimum standards for proper compost maintenance.
B. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COMPOSTING
The organic waste produced from the growing, trimming, and removal of grass, branches (not exceeding one inch in diameter), bushes, shrubs, plants, leaves and garden debris.
KITCHEN WASTE
Any uncooked plant matter not contaminated by or containing meat, fish and/or dairy products.
C. 
Maintenance. All compost piles shall be maintained using approved composting procedures to comply with the following requirements:
(1) 
All compost piles shall be enclosed in a freestanding compost bin. Each compost bin shall be no larger in volume than 125 cubic feet, and shall be no taller than 42 inches.
(2) 
All compost bins shall be so maintained as to prevent the attraction or harborage of rodents and pests. The presence of rodents in or near a compost bin shall be cause for the City to proceed under § 205-9.
(3) 
All compost bins shall be so maintained as to prevent unpleasant odors.
(4) 
No compost bin shall be allowed to deteriorate to such condition as to be a blighting influence on the surrounding property or neighborhood or the City in general.
(5) 
Setback requirements.
(a) 
All compost bins shall be located not less than three feet from a property line or principal building or dwelling and three feet from any detached accessory building.
(b) 
A variance from these setback requirements may be applied for if the property owner(s) can show a hardship exists which prohibits compliance. In addition, any variance application must include a signed written approval of the variance request from the adjacent property owner(s). Variances can be granted by the Building Inspector on an annual basis upon the proper application being submitted by the property owner(s). Screening and/or fencing of compost bins may be required as a condition of a variance being granted.
(6) 
No compost bin shall be located in any yard except a rear yard, as defined in Chapter 430, Zoning. A compost bin may be located in a side yard as defined in Chapter 430, Zoning, subject to the annual variance procedure contained in Subsection C(5)(b) and must be screened from view to the street.
(7) 
Those composting bins which existed prior to the adoption of this section shall be given one year to comply with the requirements set forth herein.
D. 
Ingredients.
(1) 
No compost bin shall contain any of the following:
(a) 
Lake weeds;
(b) 
Cooked food scraps of any kind or type;
(c) 
Fish, meat or other animal products;
(d) 
Manures;
(e) 
Large items that will impede the composting process.
(2) 
Permitted ingredients in a compost bin shall include the following:
(a) 
Yard waste;
(b) 
Coffee grounds and used tea leaves;
(c) 
Uncooked plant matter not contaminated by or containing meat, fish, and/or dairy products;
(d) 
Commercial compost additives.
E. 
Owner responsibility. Every owner or operator shall be responsible for maintaining all property under his or her control in accordance with the requirements of this section.
F. 
Municipal exception. Any municipal composting site maintained by the City shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
A. 
Discharge. No person shall cause, allow or permit any roof drain, surface drain, subsoil drain, drain from any mechanical device, gutter, ditch, pipe, conduit, sump pump or any other object or thing used for the purposes of collecting, conducting, transporting, diverting, draining or discharging clear water from any part of any private premises owned or occupied by said person to discharge into a sanitary sewer.
B. 
Nuisance. The discharge into a sanitary sewer from any roof drain, surface drain, subsoil drain, drain from any mechanical device, gutter, ditch, pipe, conduit, sump pump or any other object or thing used for the purposes of collecting, conducting, transporting, diverting, draining or discharging clear water from any part of any private premises is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and a hazard to the health, safety and well-being of the residents of the City and to the protection of the property.
C. 
Groundwater. Where deemed necessary by the Common Council, every house shall have a sump pump installed for the purpose of discharging clear waters from foundation drains and ground infiltration and where the building is not serviced by a storm sewer shall either discharge into an underground conduit leading to a drainage ditch, gutter, dry well or shall discharge onto the ground surface in such other manner as will not constitute a nuisance as defined herein.
D. 
Stormwater. All roof drains, surface drains, drains from any mechanical device, gutters, pipe, conduits or any other objects or things used for the purpose of collecting, conducting, transporting, diverting, draining or discharging stormwaters shall be discharged either to a storm sewer, a dry well, an underground conduit leading to a drainage ditch or onto the ground surface in such other manner as will not constitute a nuisance as defined herein.
E. 
Storm sewer lateral. Where municipal storm sewers are provided and it is deemed necessary by the property owner and/or the City to discharge clear waters from a parcel of land, a storm sewer lateral shall be installed and connected to the storm sewer main at the expense of the owner.
F. 
Conducting tests. If a designated City agent suspects an illegal clear water discharge as defined by this chapter or by any other applicable provision of the Wisconsin Administrative Code as it may, from time to time, be amended, he/she may, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times, enter the private premises where such illegal clear water discharge is suspected and conduct appropriate tests to determine whether such suspected illegal clear water discharge actually exists. In addition, City inspectors may inspect for illegal clear water discharges as a part of a routine inspection without cause.
A. 
No person, firm or corporation shall bury or cause to be buried on or in any public street or on any public ground or on any private property belonging to said person, firm or corporation any dead animal, animal carcass or any parts thereof within the City of Princeton, except that a resident of the City of Princeton, upon receiving a permit from the Director of Public Works, may bury a domestic household pet on said person's, firm's or corporation's own private property.
B. 
Any person, firm or corporation who violates this section shall be subject to the general forfeiture provisions of this Code of Ordinances. In addition, said person, firm or corporation shall be required to remove any animal or animal carcass buried in violation of this section.