[R.O. 2012 §215.040; Ord. No. 751 §§I — VI, 11-21-2006]
A. Failure To Keep Weeds, High Grass And Other Vegetation Cut And Removed,
A Nuisance. All persons owning or occupying any lot or tract
of land in the City are required to keep weeds and grass below eight
(8) inches in height, and that trimmings are not allowed to accumulate
in any gutter, street, sidewalk, alley, ditch or any other public
or private property. The owner or occupant of the property is required
to maintain the property from the street in the front to the back
property line. This includes the front, back and side yards, the right-of-way
(the area between the sidewalk and the curb) and the alley and easement(s)
(the area behind the property) and all ditches surrounding the property.
B. Unlawful To Maintain Such Nuisance. It shall be unlawful for any person to create or maintain a nuisance as defined in Subsection
(A).
C. Liability. Whenever weeds, high grass or other vegetation in violation of Subsection
(A) are allowed to grow on any part of any lot or ground within the City, the owner of the ground, or in case of joint tenancy, tenancy by entireties or tenancy in common, each owner thereof shall be liable.
D. Notice. Whenever a City Official believes a nuisance exists,
a notice shall be provided to the owner of the property of the nuisance.
Such notice to be by personal service (written or verbal), or certified
mail return receipt requested, or posting of property either by door
hanger or sign or by publication in the local newspaper. Such notice
shall state how many days the property owner has to abate the nuisance.
E. Disposition. If the nuisance is not abated within the given
time, the Police Department shall issue a citation to the owner or
tenant having control of the property upon which the nuisance has
been allowed to grow. In the event a citation is issued, the matter
shall be brought before the Knob Noster Municipal Court and shall
be dealt with in the same manner as any other violation.
F. Tax Bill. If the City by ordinance has abated any nuisance,
the City Clerk shall cause a special tax bill prepared against the
property in the amount of such costs, which shall be collected as
with other taxes assessed against the property, and which shall be
a first (1st) lien on the property from the date of its issuance,
until paid. Such tax bill shall be prima facie evidence of the recitals
therein and of its validity. No mere technical error or informality
in the same, or in the proceedings leading up to its issuance, shall
be a defense thereto. Each such special tax bill shall be issued by
the City Clerk and delivered to the Collector on or before the first
(1st) day of June of each year. Any such tax bill, if not paid when
due, shall bear interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum.