(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association of persons, owner, agent, occupant, or anyone having supervision or control of any lot, tract, parcel of land, or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied within the city limits to suffer or permit grass, weeds, or uncultivated plants to grow to a height exceeding twelve inches (12") on an average or to grow in rank profusion upon said premises.
(b)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association of persons, owner, agent, occupant, or anyone having supervision or control of any lot, tract, parcel of land, or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied within the city limits to suffer or permit grass, weeds, or any plant uncultivated to grow along the sidewalk or street adjacent to the same between the property line and the curb or if there is no curb within ten feet (10') outside that property line to a height exceeding twelve inches (12") on an average or to grow in rank profusion upon said premises.
(c)
It shall be the duty of any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association of persons, owner, agent, occupant, or anyone having supervision or control of any lot, tract, parcel of land, or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied within the city limits to remove or cause to be cut and removed, all such grass, weeds, or uncultivated plants as may be necessary to comply with subsections (a) and (b) above.
(d)
Should the owner of any lot or lots within the city, who shall allow weeds, grass, or uncultivated plants to grow in rank profusion to an average height of twelve inches (12") or excess making it unsightly, harboring snakes, rodents, and mosquitoes; making it a threat to public health and safety, and allowing the accumulation of rubbish, trash, objectionable, unsanitary, or unsightly matter, as the case may be, fail or refuse to mow or cut down or remove said weeds or plants, or refuse or fail to remove rubbish, trash, or unsanitary matter, within ten (10) days after notice to said owner to do so. The city may do such cutting, mowing, or removing such weeds, grass, or uncultivated plants, rubbish, trash, objectionable, or unsanitary matter or cause the same to be done and may pay therefore; and charge the expenses incurred in doing such work or having such work done, which shall include salary and wages of employees, the expense of notifying owner by mail or publication of said notice in a newspaper, to the owners of such lot or lots. Notice may be given to the property owner as follows:
(1)
In person;
(2)
By United States mail;
(3)
By publication at least twice within ten (10) consecutive days;
(4)
By posting notice on or near a building near the property to which the violation relates;
(5)
By posting notice on a placard attached to a stake driven into the ground on the property to which the violation relates, if the property contains no buildings.
(e)
The city secretary shall file a statement of such expense incurred under subsection (d) above, giving the amount of such expense, the date on which said work was done with the county clerk of Sabine County, Texas; and the City of Pineland shall have a privileged lien on such lot or lots or real estate upon which said work was done to secure the expenditures so made, in accordance with the provisions of Article 4436, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, which said lien shall be second only to tax liens and liens for street improvements, and said amount shall bear ten percent (10%) interest from the date said statement was filed. It is further provided that for any such expenditures and interest, as aforesaid, suit may be instituted and recovery and foreclosure of said lien may be had in the name of the city; and the statement of expenses so made as aforesaid, or a certified copy there of shall be prima facie proof of the amount expended for such work.
(1981 Code of Ordinances Chapter 6, Section 6; Ordinance adopting Code)