Natural lawn as used in this section shall include common species of grass and wildflowers native to North America which are designed and purposely cultivated to exceed six inches in height from the ground. Specifically excluded in natural lawns are the noxious grasses and weeds identified in § 360-1 of this chapter. The growth of a natural lawn in excess of six inches in height from the ground surface shall be prohibited within the Village corporate limits. No lawns shall contain litter or debris and shall not harbor undesirable wildlife.
[Adopted as Sec. 8-1-5 of the 1992 Code; amended in its entirety at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
A.
When, in the opinion of the Fire Chief of the Department serving the Village of Reeseville, the presence of a natural lawn may constitute a fire or safety hazard due to weather and/or other conditions, the Fire Chief may order the cutting of natural lawns to a safe condition. As a condition of receiving approval of the natural lawn permit, the property owner shall be required to cut the natural lawn within the three days upon receiving written direction from the Fire Chief.
B.
Natural lawns shall not be removed through the process of burning unless stated and approved as one of the management and maintenance techniques in the lawn management plan. The Fire Chief shall review all requests to burn natural lawns and shall determine if circumstances are correct and all applicable requirements have been fulfilled to ensure public safety. Burning of natural lawns shall be strictly prohibited unless a written permit to burn is issued by the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief shall establish a written list of requirements for considering each request to burn natural lawns, thereby ensuring the public safety. In addition, the property owner requesting permission to burn the natural lawn shall produce evidence of property damage and liability insurance identifying the Village as a party insured. A minimum amount of acceptable insurance shall be $300,000.
A.
The growth of a natural lawn as defined in this section shall be considered a public nuisance by the Village as set forth in this section. Violators shall be served with a notice of public nuisance by certified mail to the last known mailing address of the property owner.
B.
If the person so served with a notice of public nuisance violation does not abate the nuisance within 10 days, the enforcement officer may proceed to abate such nuisance, keeping an account of the expense of the abatement, and such expense shall be charged to and paid by such property owner. Notice of the bill for abatement of the public nuisance shall be mailed to the owner of the premises and shall be payable within 10 calendar days from receipt thereof. Within 60 days after such costs and expenses are incurred and remain unpaid, the Village Clerk shall enter those charges onto the tax roll as a special tax as provided by state statute.
C.
The failure of the Village Clerk to record such claim or to mail such notice or the failure of the owner to receive such notice shall not affect the right to place the Village expense on the tax rolls for unpaid bills for abating the public nuisance as provided for in this article.
A.
Any person, firm or corporation which does not abate the nuisance within the required time period or who otherwise violates the provisions of this article shall be subject to the general penalty found in § 1-2, General penalty.
B.
In addition to any penalties herein provided, the Village may issue stop-work orders upon owners of lots where work is unfinished under a previously issued building permit for any violation of this article.
C.
Any natural lawns exceeding six inches in height from the ground at the time this code is enacted shall have 12 months to correct their lawn and adhere to the code.