The following words, as used in this chapter, shall have the meanings
hereby respectively ascribed thereto:
PERSON
Any natural person, partnership, association, firm or corporation.
WEEDS
Any Canadian or Russian thistle, chickory, burdock, nettle, poison
ivy, sumac, poison oak, goldenrod, wild lettuce, wild mustard, wild parsley,
ragweed, milkweed or any other plant or vegetation whatsoever, not edible
or planted for an ornamental or agricultural purpose.
[Amended 11-26-1968 by Ord. No. 54]
Every person owning or occupying any premises within the Township, upon
which premises any grass or weeds in excess of 12 inches in height shall grow,
shall cut or remove such grass or weeds or cause the same to be cut or removed,
provided, however, grass or grain shall be permitted to grow in excess of
12 inches for purposes of cutting and harvesting the same for hay or other
agricultural purposes. The owner of the premises, in the case of vacant premises
or premises occupied by the owner thereof, and the occupant of the premises,
in the case of premises occupied by other than the owner thereof, and the
owner shall comply with the requirements of this section.
[Amended 9-8-1992 by Ord. No. 92-13]
The Ordinance Enforcement Officer, upon direction of the Board of Supervisors,
shall give written notice, by personal service or by United States first class
mail, to the owner or occupant of any property whereon grass or weeds are
growing or remaining in violation of the provisions of this chapter, directing
and requiring such owner or occupant, as the case may be, to cut or remove
all such grass or weeds, so as to conform to the requirements of this chapter,
within seven days after giving of such notice by personal service or by depositing
the same in the United States mail addressed to the last known residence of
said owner or occupant. In case any person shall neglect or fail to comply
with any of the terms, provisions and requirements of this section, or with
any notice given in conformity with or pursuant to the provisions hereof,
then the Enforcement Officer is empowered and directed to engage all labor
and furnish all materials necessary or required to comply with the notice
and the cost and expense thereof, together with 20%, added thereon as a penalty,
which shall be certified to the Township Solicitor, who shall enter the same
as a lien against the property in the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton
County and shall proceed to collect same in like manner as other municipal
claims are by law collectible.
[Amended 9-8-1992 by Ord. No. 92-13]
A. Any person who shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply
with any of the provisions of this chapter, as amended, shall, upon conviction
in a summary proceeding brought before a District Justice under the Pennsylvania
Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be sentenced
to pay a fine or penalty as follows:
(1) First violation within any one calendar year: a fine
of $100, or 90' days imprisonment, or both.
(2) Second violation within any one calendar year: a fine
of $250, or 90 days' imprisonment, or both.
(3) Third violation within any one calendar year: a fine
of $500, or 90 days' imprisonment, or both.
(4) Fourth violation within any one calendar year: a fine
of $1,000, or 90 days' imprisonment, or both.
B. Each day that the violation continues shall
constitute a separate offense.