[Ord. No. 262 §1, 7-18-2005; Ord. No. 283 §1, 9-11-2008; Ord. No. 300 §§1 — 3, 11-14-2011]
A. 
Failure To Keep Weeds, High Grass And Other Vegetation Cut And Removed, A Nuisance.
1. 
All persons owning or occupying any lot or tract of land in the City of Dearborn shall keep the weeds, high grass and other vegetation growing on such property cut and removed. Whenever such weeds, high grass or other vegetation shall attain the height of seven (7) inches, it shall be deemed a public nuisance.
2. 
"Weeds, high grass and other vegetation", as used herein, shall mean all vegetation capable of emitting unpleasant or noxious odors or transmitting pollen into the air; any vegetation in excess of seven (7) inches; all vegetation, regardless of height, including thickets, which may conceal or invite filthy deposits, harbor rodents, refuse or vermin, or create a fire hazard. Vegetation which shall be planted, cultivated and maintained for the production of grain, forage, commercial products, or for beauty and aesthetic purposes shall not be considered weeds, high grass or other vegetation as used in this Section.
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) of this Section 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. The Building Commissioner or designated officer shall give notice, either personally or by United States mail to the owner or owners, or his/her/its or their agents, or by posting such notice on the premises; thereupon, the Building Commissioner or designated officer may declare the weeds, high grass or other vegetation to be a nuisance and order the owner to begin removing or abating the same within a specific time which shall not be less than seven (7) days from the receipt of said notice.
E. 
Disposition. Upon failure to pursue the removal or abatement of such nuisance by the time specified in the notice or upon failure to pursue the removal or abatement of such nuisance without unnecessary delay, the Building Commissioner or designated officer may cause the condition which constitutes the nuisance to be removed or abated. If the Building Commissioner or designated officer causes such condition to be removed or abated, the cost of such removal or abatement shall be certified to the City Clerk or officer in charge of finance.
F. 
Tax Bill. The City Clerk or officer in charge of finance shall cause the certified cost of such removal or abatement of nuisance to be included in a special tax bill or added to the annual real estate tax bill, at the collecting official's option, for the property and the certified cost shall be collected by the City Collector or other official collecting taxes in the same manner and procedure for collecting real estate taxes. If the certified cost is not paid, the tax bill shall be considered delinquent, and the collection of the delinquent bill shall be governed by the laws governing delinquent and back taxes. The tax bill from the date of its issuance shall be deemed a personal debt against the owner and shall also be a lien on the property until paid.