City of Strafford, MO Grass and Weeds

[Ord. No. 190-90, 12-17-1990; Ord. No. 624 §1, 6-1-2009; Ord. No. 936, 7-5-2022]

Maximum Height. The maximum grass and weed height or invasive overgrowth shall be ten (10) inches for residential and commercial lots.

Inspection. Properties found to be in violation of Subsection (A) above shall be considered a public nuisance. The Code Official or their designee shall declare and give written notice to the property owner and or persons or corporation in control of the property by posting the property and regular mail or certified mail. Such notice shall at a minimum state the following:

Declare that a public nuisance exists.

Declare the condition which constitutes such nuisance.

Order the removal of such condition within twelve (12) calendar days of such notice.

Inform the owner that he/she may file a written request within the twelve (12) calendar days for a hearing before the Municipal Judge on the question of whether a nuisance exists on such property.

If the owner fails to begin the correction of the violation within the time allowed or failure to pursue the correction of the violation or files an appeal as outlined in Subsection (B)(4) above, the Code Official shall cause the condition which constitutes the violation to be removed or abated.

The cost of removal by the City may be included in a special tax bill or added to the annual real estate tax bill for the property or collected in the same manner and procedure for collecting real estate taxes.

Responsibility Of The Owner And/Or Landlord. The ultimate responsibility for compliance with the requirement set forth in Subsection (A) above shall be the property owner, the landlord, or the corporation in control of the property.

Notice To Property Owner — Failure To Comply. If the violation has not been corrected or failure to pursue the correction of the violation within the twelve (12) calendar days has not been completed, the City shall correct the violation at a rate of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for the first hour or fraction thereof plus fifty dollars ($50.00) for each additional half (1/2) hour thereof. If the work is performed by a private contractor at a higher rate than the rates specified above, the higher rate shall apply.

Administrative Penalty Per Addressed Property. For the first offense within a calendar year no additional penalty shall be charged. For the second offense within a calendar year an additional two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) shall be applied. For the third or more offense within a calendar year an additional five hundred dollars ($500.00) shall be applied.

Tax Lien Provisions. A tax lien shall be placed on said property if the bill has not been paid or if an agreement for payment has not been made with the City within forty-five (45) days of the service rendered. The lien shall stay in effect until the bill is paid. An eight percent (8%) interest per annum charge shall be added on each violation past the original forty-five (45) days.

[Ord. No. 190-90, 12-17-1990; Ord. No. 936, 7-5-2022]

Definition. Properties used solely for hay or agricultural purposes shall be registered by the property owner with the City for tracking and ownership purposes and shall meet the following requirements.

Any property less than one (1) acre shall meet the requirements of Section 215.020.

Properties within the City limits that are continually used for hay or agricultural purposes and are equal to or greater than one (1) acre in size shall meet the following requirement.

If the property is adjacent to any residential zoned district and there is no intervening road between the property and the residential zoned district an eight-foot wide strip of land along the property line shall be maintained by the property owner to a maximum height of ten (10) inches.