For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
City limits.
The city limits of Jefferson, Texas.
Enforcing agent.
A code enforcement officer or peace officer.
Improved property.
(1) 
A lot, tract, or parcel of land that meets the following criteria:
a. 
A building or structure has been affixed to the land; and/or
b. 
The land has been cleared of trees and/or brush, or made ready for use, or made more desirable, valuable, profitable, or not left in a wild or natural state.
c. 
A city rights-of-way along any paved street inside the city limits.
Inoperative motor vehicle.
A motor vehicle that:
(1) 
Does not have affixed unexpired license plates and a valid current inspection sticker; and
(2) 
The condition of which is one or more of the following: wrecked; dismantled; partially dismantled; not in a condition to be legally driven upon public streets; abandoned; or discarded.
Major vehicle repairs.
Repairs to a motor vehicle or trailer that take the responsible person more than 14 days to complete. Examples of "major vehicle repairs" include engine building/rebuilding, transmission work, body repair, and other work ordinarily performed by a mechanic or body shop. "Major vehicle repairs" does not include ordinary maintenance work such as oil changes, battery replacement, cleaning, and other routine maintenance unless the ordinary maintenance work takes more than 14 days to complete.
Motor vehicle.
An automobile, truck, motorcycle, boat, recreational vehicle, or other similar vessel.
Responsible person.
A natural person, firm, corporation, corporate officer, partnership, association of persons, owner, agent, occupant, or any individual or entity having supervision or control of any motor vehicle, lot, tract, parcel of land or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied, within the city limits.
Trash.
Discarded material, which includes rubbish, brush, furniture, household appliances, tires, batteries, construction material, household garbage, lawn clippings, food, and other similar items.
Unimproved property.
Any real property that does not fit the definition of improved property.
(Ordinance 2016-09-01, adopted 9/20/2016)
It shall be unlawful for any responsible person to allow the accumulation of trash or any other unsanitary or unsightly materials on any property, occupied or unoccupied, within the city limits. Any such accumulation shall constitute a fire hazard and nuisance to the public health and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter.
(Ordinance 2016-09-01, adopted 9/20/2016)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any responsible person to allow weeds or grass to grow to a height of greater than 12 inches on any improved property, occupied or unoccupied, within the city limits. Weed or grass growth in excess of 12 inches in height shall constitute a fire hazard and nuisance to the public health and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful for any responsible person to cut and remove weeds and grass on an unimproved property fewer than three times per calendar year. Cutting and removing weeds and grass on an unimproved property fewer than three times per calendar year shall constitute a fire hazard and nuisance to the public health and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter.
(c) 
It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain weeds and grass to the nearest curb or street.
(Ordinance 2016-09-01, adopted 9/20/2016)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any responsible person to allow debris of any type, including yard debris, to accumulate in the city rights-of-way, in a pathway designed for water drainage or in a city street.
(b) 
It shall be unlawful for any responsible person to burn debris of any type, including yard debris in the city rights-of-way, in a pathway designed for water drainage or in a city street.
(Ordinance 2016-09-01, adopted 9/20/2016)
It shall be unlawful for any responsible person to allow the storage of materials, equipment, or commodities not currently in use, on residential property, occupied or unoccupied, within the city limits, in a manner that is not screened from public view. Any such improper storage shall constitute a fire hazard and nuisance to the public health and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter.
(Ordinance 2016-09-01, adopted 9/20/2016)
It shall be unlawful for any responsible person to allow standing dead trees on any property, occupied or unoccupied, within the city limits, that could fall and cause injury to neighboring persons or property. A failure to safely cut and remove any standing dead tree shall constitute a danger to the public health and safety and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter.
(Ordinance 2016-09-01, adopted 9/20/2016)
It shall be unlawful for any responsible person to conduct major vehicle repairs, in public view, on a residential property, occupied or unoccupied, within the city limits. Major vehicle repairs, however, may lawfully be conducted inside of a garage, building, or other area that is screened from public view. Any major vehicle repairs in public view shall constitute a nuisance to the public and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter.
(Ordinance 2016-09-01, adopted 9/20/2016)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any responsible person to allow an inoperative motor vehicle to be parked, placed, stored, or left, in public view, upon property, occupied or unoccupied, within the city limits for a period of time in excess of 30 days. Any storage of inoperative vehicles in public view for a period of time in excess of 30 days shall constitute a nuisance to the public and shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this chapter.
(b) 
This section shall not apply to inoperative motor vehicles situated within a completely enclosed building or structure, otherwise screened from public view, or located wholly on property of a legally established and properly zoned facility that engages in the business of motor vehicle repair.
(Ordinance 2016-09-01, adopted 9/20/2016)