[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of
Grafton as Title 8, Ch. 8.12, of the 1979 Code; amended in its entirety
by Ord. No. 009, Series 2006. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
No person owning, occupying or controlling property within the Village shall plant or permit to grow or pollinate upon his premises any nuisance weeds or grasses, as defined in § 23.235, Wis. Stats., or noxious weeds or grasses, as defined in § 66.0407, Wis. Stats., nor shall such person allow any grass, weeds or other vegetation, excluding shrubs and trees, to grow to a height exceeding one foot. In order to prevent such growth and pollination, it shall be the duty of every property owner or tenant to mow or cause to be mowed upon the premises which he owns, occupies or controls, all grasses or weeds exceeding one foot in height, excepting natural lawns as defined in § 8.12.015.
For the purpose of § 8.12.010, a natural lawn shall include common species of grass and wildflowers common to North America, which are designed and purposely cultivated to be greater than eight inches in height from the ground. Specifically excluded in natural lawns are noxious grasses and weeds, as defined in § 23.235, Wis. Stats., or noxious weeds or grasses, as defined in § 66.0407, Wis. Stats. Natural lawns shall not contain litter or debris and shall not harbor undesirable wildlife.
It shall be the duty of the Weed Commissioner to enforce this
chapter, and if any person fails to comply with this chapter he shall
be notified by the Weed Commissioner in writing. Upon failure of such
person to comply with the orders of the Weed Commissioner within 10
days of the date of such notice, the Weed Commissioner shall cause
the premises to be mowed or cause the weeds to be destroyed above
the surface of the ground by use of chemicals, cutting, or both, at
a time and in a manner as will effectually eliminate the weeds or
prevent the weeds from maturing to the bloom or flower stage. The
Weed Commissioner shall report the cost thereof in writing to the
Village Director of Administrative Services in the manner provided
in § 66.0517, Wis. Stats. Such charge shall be placed on
the next tax roll as a tax on the land upon which the grass was mowed
or weeds were destroyed and shall be collected as a real property
tax or as a personal property tax under Chs. 74 and 75, Wis. Stats.
In addition to any other method provided by law, such amount may be
imposed as a special charge for current services against the land
pursuant to § 66.0627, Wis. Stats. Written notice of such
special charge shall be mailed to the landowner. A special charge
is not payable in installments. If a special charge is not paid within
30 days of the date of such notice, the special charge is delinquent
and shall become a lien on the land against which it is imposed as
of the date of the delinquency. A delinquent special charge shall
be included in the current or next tax roll for collection and settlement
under Ch. 74, Wis. Stats.
