All premises and the exterior of properties shall be maintained
free from weeds or lawn growth in excess of 10 inches, except that
this requirement shall not apply to areas of cultivated gardens and
plants, such as English gardens, and areas of natural growth that
are not ordinarily maintained, such as, without limitation, areas
containing wetlands or marshes, or densely wooded areas. All noxious
weeds shall be prohibited.
In the event of the failure of the owner or person so notified
to abate the condition within 10 days from the date of the notices
aforesaid, the City Council may cause the removal or abatement of
such condition or conditions, and in such case, the office in charge
of removal or abatement shall certify, in writing, to City Council
the cost thereof, which cost, if found correct, shall be charged against
said land, and the amount so charged shall forthwith become a lien
upon said land and shall be assessed and levied upon said land and
shall bear interest of the same rate as taxes and shall be collected
and enforced by the same officer in the same manner as taxes. Said
notice of lien shall be filed with the Municipal Tax Collector of
the City of Northfield.
[Amended 5-30-2017 by Ord. No. 6-2017]
In the event of the failure of the owner of said land to remove
or abate such condition existing thereon within the time required
after the service of the notice hereinbefore mentioned, and in addition
to the remedies hereinbefore provided, such person shall be in violation
of this article. Penalties for violations shall be imposed against
an owner of said land as follows: a fine of up to $250 for a first
offense; a fine of up to $500 for a second offense; and a fine of
up to $2,000 for a third offense. For the fourth offense and each
subsequent offense thereafter, the owner shall appear in Municipal
Court and, upon conviction thereof by the Judge of the Municipal Court
of the City of Northfield, shall be punished by a maximum fine not
to exceed $2,000 per occurrence and/or, in the discretion of the Court,
imprisonment in such a place as is maintained for offenders in the
City of Northfield for a period not to exceed 30 days. Each day during
which the violation continues after notice shall be considered as
a separate offense.