The following words as described in this chapter shall have
the following meanings:
PERSON
Any natural person, partnership, association, firm, or corporation.
WEEDS
Any Canadian or Russian thistle, chicory, burdock, nettle,
poison ivy, sumac, goldenrod, wild lettuce, wild mustard, wild parsley,
ragweed, milkweed, or any other plant or vegetation whatsoever, not
edible or planted for an ornamental or agricultural purpose.
[Amended 7-6-2021 by Ord. No. 5-2021]
Every person, owning or occupying any premises within the Township,
upon which premises any grass or weeds in excess of six inches in
height is growing, shall cut or remove such grass or weeds or cause
the same to be cut or removed, on or before May 1, June 1, July 1,
August 1, September 1, October 1, and November 1 of each calendar
year.
Exceptions to the requirements of this chapter are the following:
trees, whether coniferous or deciduous, shrubs, flower beds or gardens,
vegetables, wildflower gardens, seasonal and ornamental grasses, wetlands,
woodlands and forested areas, areas within 15 feet of a stream or
pond and land actively cultivated in crop production or engaged in
farming or animal husbandry including, but not limited to, growing
grain in excess of six inches which will be cut and harvested for
hay or other agricultural purposes.
The Zoning Officer or Assistant Zoning Officer, upon ascertaining
that grass or weeds are growing in violation of this chapter, shall
give written notice by first-class mail or certified mail, return
receipt requested, to the owner or occupant of the premises whereon
such grass and weeds are in violation of the provisions of this chapter,
and shall direct the owner or occupant to cut or remove all such grass
or weeds so as to conform to the requirements of this chapter within
seven days.
In case any person shall neglect, fail, or refuse to comply
with such notice within the period of time stated therein, the Township
may cause such grass or weeds to be removed or cut, and the costs
thereof, together with any penalty authorized by law, may be collected
from such person in the manner provided by law.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter
shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial
District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of
not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment
thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation
continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate
offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated shall also
constitute a separate offense.