Editor's Note: Ord. 6 S+FR, 8-3-1994 placed responsibilities for enforcement of this chapter under the Department of Neighborhood and Recreational Services, now the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services. See Section 2:12-1. See Ord. 6PSF-F, 6-15-2016 for the revision of the Department name and reorganization.
[R.O. 1966 § 22:19-1]
As used in this chapter:
PLANT LIFE
Shall mean and include any hedge, brush or other plant life on lands within the City.
[R.O. 1966 § 22:19-2]
Where it shall be necessary and expedient for the preservation of the public safety, it shall be the duty of every owner or tenant of lands within the City to keep all plant life, growing within 10 feet of any roadway and within 25 feet of the intersection of two roadways, cut to a height of not more than 2 1/2 feet, within 10 days after written notice to cut the same.
The notice shall be given or caused to be given by the Director or his authorized representative. Such notice may be served upon the owner or tenant by mail addressed to his/her last known address.
[R.O. 1966 § 22:19-3]
In the event of the failure of any such owner or tenant to keep all plant life, growing within 10 feet of any roadway and within 25 feet of the intersection of two roadways, cut to a height of not more than 2 1/2 feet, after written notice and within the period of time as set forth in the preceding section, the Director or his authorized representative may cut such plant life, or cause the same to be cut, and charge the cost of such cutting against the lands.
The Director shall certify the cost to the Council, and if found correct it shall cause the cost as shown to be charged against the lands, or in the event that such cost is excessive it shall cause a reasonable cost thereof to be charged against the lands. The amount so charged shall forthwith become a lien upon such lands, and shall be added to and become and form part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such lands. Such amount shall bear interest at the same rate as other taxes, and shall be collected and enforced by the same officers and in the same manner as taxes.
[R.O. 1966 § 22:19-4]
a. 
Every owner or tenant who, after written notice, shall refuse or neglect to cut or trim any plant life in the manner and within the time hereinabove provided in this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished as provided in Section 1:1-9 of these Revised General Ordinances.
b. 
The imposition and collection of any penalty imposed by the provisions of paragraph a of this section shall not constitute any bar to the right of the City to collect the cost of removal as provided in Section 29:19-3.