[Adopted 2-25-2015 by Ord. No. 317 as Ch. 38, Art. II, of the 2015 Pittsfield
Charter Township Code]
No landowner shall permit property to remain in a condition
that violates this article.
A.
It shall be the duty of any person(s) having supervision, control,
or ownership of any lot, tract, or parcel of land, or any portion
thereof, upon which weeds, as defined in this article are growing:
(1)
Within platted subdivisions, PUDs or condominium developments in
which buildings have been erected upon 60% or more of the lots thereof;
or
(2)
On parcels of land along public right-of-way streets in common usage
within the Township, to a depth of 165 feet beginning at the road
right-of-way, or the depth of the ownership, whichever is the lesser,
to destroy said weeds before they reach a seed-bearing stage,
and to prevent said weeds from perpetuating themselves and from becoming
a detriment to public health.
B.
Nothing in this article shall apply to weeds growing in fields devoted
to growing agricultural crops.
For the purpose of this article, weeds and prohibited invasive
plants shall include all species on the Weeds and Invasive Plants
List as adopted by the Township Board of Trustees.
Grass, weeds, and undergrowth shall not be permitted to grow
to a height greater than eight inches.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
An area of land covered or cultivated with grasses, usually
intended to be mown for hay.
A several-stemmed woody plant of garden origin that has a
practical or significant use in agriculture or horticulture and whose
unique characteristics are reproduced during propagation.
A tree that has a practical or significant use in agriculture
or horticulture and whose unique characteristics are reproduced during
propagation.
To foster the growth of plants through labor and care.
The vegetation height limits of § 38-3 shall not apply to:
A.
Agricultural crops.
B.
Cultivated trees.
C.
Cultivated shrubs.
D.
Flowers or other decorative ornamental plants under cultivation.
E.
Wildflowers.
F.
Vegetation in woodlands or wetlands.
G.
Cultivated meadows.
H.
Meadows in agricultural zones.
(1)
On portions of undeveloped property behind a wooded tree line.
(2)
On portions of unsubdivided lands more than 25 feet from a public
sidewalk or a street open to the public.
(3)
On portions of undeveloped lots in a subdivision less than 60% developed
lying more than 25 feet from a public sidewalk or public street.
Any bush, shrub, tree or other vegetation or portion thereof
obstructing the line of vision or interfering with passage of pedestrians
or motorists on a sidewalk, walkway, driveway or street is prohibited.
Any tree or other vegetation which has died, or by virtue of
disease, damage or insect infestation presents a hazard to persons
or property on adjoining land, shall be removed.
A.
In the event that a property covered by the provisions of this article is not maintained, the Township Municipal Services Department shall send a notice by first-class mail to the owner of record of said property, and to the occupant, if not the owner, advising them of the requirements of this article and providing seven days to comply with its provisions. One notice of violation of § 38-3 per parcel per mowing season shall be deemed adequate notice for the entire season.
B.
All properties not in compliance with this article after the seven-day period provided in Subsection A, above, shall be mowed by or at the direction of the Township and charges billed to the owner of record. Any additional work required to mow the property such as litter removal or trimming will also be charged as provided. The mowing charges, any additional work, and an administration fee shall be assessed as determined by a fee schedule adopted by the Township Board of Trustees.
C.
Upon determination by the Township that the condition of a property is a violation of this article and presents a potential threat to the public health, safety or welfare, the Township may waive the seven-day notification period required in Subsection A, above, and cause the violation to be immediately corrected with all costs assessed against the property and billed to the owner of record.
D.
All charges which remain unpaid as of October 1 of the current year
shall become a lien against the subject property and may be added
to the tax rolls for the property.
