[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Catawissa 9-8-1960 by Ord. No. 146 (Ch. 10, Part 1, of the 1983 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vegetation obstructing streets — See Ch. 287, Art. IV.
Burning of vegetation — See Ch. 153.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 240.
Trees — See Ch. 308.
It shall hereafter be unlawful for the owner or occupant of any premises in the Borough of Catawissa to permit any grass, weeds, or any vegetation whatsoever, not edible, or planted for some useful or ornamental purpose, to grow or remain upon any premises in said Borough, or to grow or remain upon the portions of the highway in front of said premises between the property line and the vehicular driveway, so as to exceed a height of six inches, to throw off any unpleasant or noxious odor, to conceal any filthy deposit, or to create or produce pollen. Provided that any person desiring to plant any trees or ornamental planting between the property line and the vehicular driveway shall first secure from the Borough Council a permit, in writing, which permit shall provide that at any time thereafter such trees or planting shall be removed at the request of the Borough Council by the owner of the property in front of which the same are planted.
Any grass, weeds or other vegetation growing upon any premises in the Borough of Catawissa in violation of any of the provisions of § 129-1 is hereby declared to be unlawful and is declared to be a nuisance and detrimental to the health, safety, cleanliness and comfort of the inhabitants of the Borough. The same is hereby prohibited.
[Amended 6-9-1983 by Ord. No. 268]
The owner of any premises shall remove, trim or cut all grass, weeds or other vegetation growing or remaining upon such premises in violation of the provisions of this chapter.
The Borough Council, or any officer or employee of the Borough designated thereby for the purpose, is hereby authorized to give notice, by personal service or by United States Mail to the owner or occupant, as the case may be, of any premises whereon grass, weeds or other vegetation is growing or remaining in violation of the provisions of § 129-1 of this chapter, directing and requiring such owner or occupant to remove, trim, or cut grass, weeds or vegetation so as to conform to the requirements of this chapter within five days after issuance of such notice.
[Amended 6-9-1983 by Ord. No. 268]
In case the owner or occupant of such premises shall neglect, fail or refuse to comply with the notice provided in § 129-4 within the period of time stated therein, the Borough authorities may but shall not be required to cause such grass, weeds or vegetation to be removed, trimmed or cut. There is hereby imposed a charge of $25 plus the actual cost of the labor involved for such time the Borough shall cause such grass, weeds or vegetation to be removed, trimmed or cut; and the owner or occupant, as the case may be, of the premises shall be billed after same has been completed.
[Amended 6-9-1983 by Ord. No. 268]
Should any bill or bills for the removing, trimming or cutting of grass, weeds or vegetation be unpaid for a period of 30 days, a penalty of 10% shall be added to such bill or bills and a lien shall be filed against the premises in the same manner in which all other municipal claims are filed.
[Amended 6-9-1983 by Ord. No. 268]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300, together with costs of prosecution, and/or to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days. Every day that a violation of this chapter continues shall constitute a separate offense.