[Ord. No. 2020-3; 7-14-2020]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee or occupant or any agent, representative or employee of any such owner, lessee or occupant having control of any developed lot or land in the City (which is adjacent to occupied land) to permit or maintain on any such lot or land any growth of weeds or grass or other similar vegetation to a height greater than twelve (12) inches on the average. The owner or agent having charge of the property shall be responsible for the maintenance of the grass and plant growth up to the edge of the street or back of curb.
B. 
In construing Subsection (A) above, any street, alley or other public roadway shall not be considered as occupied land adjacent to any property upon which vegetation is alleged to be allowed to grow or accumulate in violation of Subsection (A) above if the land on the opposite side of the street, alley or other public roadway is occupied.
C. 
Undeveloped property shall be exempt from the provisions of Subsection (A). "Undeveloped property" is defined as land which has not been developed for residential or commercial use and which retains the general woodland character. Unoccupied lots within developed subdivisions are specifically considered developed land.
D. 
Upon the filing of a complaint, the Code Enforcement Official or his/her designee shall give written notice of the violation and if not corrected in ten (10) days, the Code Enforcement Official or his/her designee shall issue a citation to the owner, lessee or occupant having control of the property upon which vegetation is alleged to grow or accumulate in violation of the provisions unless the Code Enforcement Official or his/her designee shall determine that the property is clearly in compliance with Subsection (A). In the event a citation is issued, the matter shall be brought before the Merriam Woods Municipal Court and shall be dealt with in the same manner as any other violation.
E. 
If City by ordinance has abated any nuisance, the cost of each abatement shall be charged to the responsible person or persons. If not paid within thirty (30) days, the City Clerk shall issue a special tax bill therefor against said property to be prepared and collected by Collector with other taxes assessed against the property until paid and shall be prima facie evidence of the recitals therein and of its validly, and no mere clerical error informality is the same, or in the proceedings leading up to the issuance, shall be a defense thereto. Each special tax bill shall be issued by the City Clerk and delivered to the Collector as needed. Such tax bills if not paid when due shall bear interest at the rate of one percent (1%) per month not to exceed nine percent (9%) per year, until paid.