[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Watertown
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted by Ord. No. 93-54 (§§ 9.09 and 9.20 of the former City Code);
amended in its entirety 4-3-2023 by Ord. No. 23-06]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Nonindigenous species whose introduction causes or is likely
to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
Includes common species of grass and wildflowers native to
Wisconsin and/or ornamental plantings which are designed and purposely
cultivated to exceed eight inches in height. Specifically excluded
in natural landscapes are the noxious grasses and weeds identified
in this article.
A written plan relating to the management and maintenance
of a landscape which meets the following requirements:
Street address or legal description of the property where the
proposed natural landscape is being requested.
A statement of intent and purpose for the landscape.
A detailed description of the types of plants and plant succession
involved.
Specific management and maintenance techniques to be employed.
A storm water management practice consisting of a shallow
depression planted with a dense cover of vegetation, designed to capture
storm water runoff from a small drainage area and infiltrate it into
the underlying soil.
The sloped areas alongside streams, creeks and rivers that
connect the stream to its floodplain.
Structural or non-structural measures, practices, techniques
or devices employed to avoid or minimize soil, sediment or pollutants
carried by stormwater runoff to waters of the state. Examples include
wet or dry detention ponds, infiltration basins, biofilters, buffers,
and constructed wetlands.
A precise wetland boundary survey that meets federal and
state regulations and is completed by a wetland professional.
A decision regarding whether or not an area is a wetland,
including identification of wetland type and size.
An area where water is at, near or above the land surface
long enough to be capable of supporting aquatic or hydrophytic vegetation,
and which has soils indicative of wet conditions.
A.
The growth of natural landscapes in excess of eight inches in height shall be prohibited within the City, unless a natural landscape management plan is approved and a permit is issued by the City as set forth in this article except as provided under Subsection A(1).
(1)
Exemptions. The following natural landscapes that are being routinely
maintained throughout the growing season are exempt from requiring
a permit:
(a)
Approved stormwater best management practice (BMP);
(b)
Rain gardens designed to capture and infiltrate rooftop runoff
following the WDNR Technical Standard 1009.
(c)
Designated wetlands, as shown on the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources Surface Water Data Viewer Mapped Wetlands layer
or in a wetland delineation report or wetland determination compiled
by a qualified professional.
(d)
Shoreline/streambank areas not more than 15 feet from the ordinary
high water mark (OHWM) or the top of slope, whichever is greater.
(e)
An area less than 50% of the surface area of the property not
otherwise occupied by buildings, structures, or improvements and meets
the requirements of § 356-B, C and D.
B.
Proposed landscaping is to be confined to property owned by the applicant
according to current City Assessor's records.
C.
Natural landscaping on any City-owned property within any street
right-of-way is strictly prohibited unless approved by Director of
Public Works/City Engineer. This shall include the property between
the sidewalk and street and not less than 10 feet adjacent to the
street where there is no sidewalk.
D.
Natural landscapes shall not be permitted within three feet of the
abutting property unless waived in writing by the abutting property
owner on the side or sides affected. Such waiver shall be affixed
to the landscape management plan.
E.
The property owner shall submit to the Weed Commissioner a drawing,
plot plan and/or survey which will show the location of the natural
landscape area on the applicant's property.
F.
All property owners who currently have natural landscapes must file
for a permit and submit a plan to be covered by this article.
G.
Natural landscapes may constitute a fire or safety hazard, due to
weather conditions or other conditions. The Parks, Recreation and
Forestry Department. Weed Commissioner may order natural landscapes
cut due to such conditions. As a condition of receiving approval of
the natural landscape permit, the property owner shall be required
to cut the natural landscape within three days upon receiving a written
letter from the City of Watertown's Weed Commissioner.
The following noxious grasses or weeds and other invasive species
as listed in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources NR 40 will
not be allowed in a natural landscape area:
|
Common Name(s)
|
Botanical Name(s)
|
|---|---|
|
Buckthorn
|
Rhamnus cathartica
|
|
Rhamnus frangula
| |
|
Burdock (yellowdock)
|
Artium lappa
|
|
Field bindweed (wild morning glory)
|
Convolvulus arvensis
|
|
Garlic mustard
|
Alliaria petiolata
|
|
Goatsbeard (oyster plant, salsify)
|
Tragopogon porrifolius
|
|
Leafy spurge
|
Euphorbia esula
|
|
Marijuana
|
Cannabis sativa
|
|
Nettle
|
Urtica dioica
|
|
Oxeye daisy
|
Chrysanthemum leucanthemu
|
|
Pigweed (lambs quarters)
|
Chenopodium album
|
|
Pigweed (amaranth)
|
Amaranthus retroflexus
|
|
Poison ivy
|
Rhus radicans
|
|
Purple loosestrife
|
Lythrum salicaria
|
|
Quackgrass
|
Bromus brizaeformis
|
|
Ragweed (common)
|
Ambrosia artemisifolia
|
|
Ragweed (great)
|
Ambrosia trifida
|
|
Spotted knapweed
|
Centaurea maculosa
|
|
Thistle bull
|
Cirsium vulgare
|
|
Thistle canada
|
Cirsium arbense
|
|
Thistle musk or nodding
|
Carduus nutans
|
|
Thistle star (caltrops)
|
Centaurea calicitrapa
|
|
Thistle sow (field)
|
Sonchus arvensis
|
|
Thistle sow (common)
|
Sonchus oleraceus
|
|
Thistle sow (spiny leaved)
|
Sonchus asper
|
|
Sweet clover (yellow)
|
Melilotus officinalis
|
|
Sweet clover (white)
|
Melilotus alba
|
|
Yellow mustard (yellow rocket winter cress)
|
Barbarea vulgaris
|
|
Japanese bamboo
| |
|
Wild mustard
|
Property owners interested in applying for a natural landscape
permit shall submit a natural landscape management plan to the Parks,
Recreation and Forestry Department, attention Weed Commissioner. All
plans received will be reviewed by the Weed Commissioner and the Public
Works Commission for permit approval. The property owner will be notified
in writing by the City of Watertown of approval or denial. If no notification
is received within 45 days of the property owner's initial submittal,
the plans shall be deemed approved. The plan, permit and letter of
notification will remain on file at the Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Department Weed Commissioner's office for future reference.
The property owner may appeal a decision to deny or revoke the
natural landscape permit to the Public Works Commission at an open
meeting. All applications for appeal shall be submitted within 15
calendar days of the notice of denial or revocation of the natural
landscape permit. The decision rendered by the Public Works Commission
shall be final and binding.
Enforcement will be upon written complaint by at least one adjoining
owner and filed with the Watertown Weed Commissioner. Upon receipt
of a written complaint, the permitted property will be inspected by
the Weed Commissioner. If the permitted property is determined to
be in violation of this article, the property owner shall be notified
by the Public Works Commission and City of Watertown Weed Commissioner
by written notice to correct specific violations within 15 days upon
receipt of letter. If the property owner does not correct the violations
described in the written notice, the City of Watertown shall order
the property mowed, and the property owner will be billed at the current
rate for every hour worked, and the permit shall be revoked.
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall be subject to a penalty as provided in § 1-4 of this Code. Each violation and each day a violation continues or occurs shall constitute a separate offense. This action shall not preclude the City from maintaining any appropriate action to prevent or remove a violation of this article.
