The purpose of this chapter is to provide the
City of Lancaster with the means to regulate public nuisances and
enforce regulations regarding the same through issuance of immediate
nontraffic summary citations, establishing the fees to be imposed
for recurrent public nuisances and identifying those individuals responsible
for enforcement.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
PUBLIC NUISANCE
Includes, but is not limited to, accumulations of garbage
and rubbish, infestations, the growing of grass, weeds or other vegetation
beyond the height permitted by city Ordinance, the storage or abandonment
of unregistered, uninsured or junked vehicles or other vehicles on
unenclosed private or public property or the existence of other such
items or conditions which are detrimental to the public health, safety
and welfare.
This chapter shall apply to all persons
owning or occupying property within the City who shall allow or permit
the continued existence and propagation of public nuisances.
[Amended 10-27-2009 by Ord. No. 12-2009]
The accumulation or disposal of garbage, rubbish and refuse in violation of Article
IV of Chapter
258 of the Code of the City of Lancaster, the growing of grass, weeds and vegetation contrary to Chapter
105, Brush, Grass and Weeds, of the Code of the City of Lancaster, and the accumulation, storage or abandonment of unregistered, uninsured or junk vehicles on private property or public property, together with other offensive practices or conditions which jeopardize the public health, safety and welfare, shall be the public nuisances prohibited by this chapter.
[Amended 8-22-2000 by Ord. No. 6-2000; 7-26-2005 by Ord. No. 15-2005]
In the case that any person violates, neglects, fails or refuses to comply with this chapter after reoccurrence, the City is hereby authorized to take any and all such necessary actions to remove the public nuisance and charge the owner the actual cost of labor, materials, equipment or any other item, service or expense incurred by the City to abate the nuisance, plus the administrative fee prescribed by Chapter
36.
[Amended 8-22-2000 by Ord. No. 6-2000; 7-26-2005 by Ord. No. 15-2005]
Any bill for such abatement measures taken pursuant to this chapter shall be paid by the owner in accordance with Chapter
36, Municipal Claims. Upon failure of the property owner to pay the amounts due the City in accordance with Chapter
36, the City shall be entitled to collect all amounts and pursue any or all of the remedies identified in Chapter
36, Municipal Claims.
[Amended 5-12-1998 by Ord. No. 4-1998]
Enforcement officers shall be city officials
designated and appointed by the Mayor, including but not limited to
those employed by the Department of Economic and Community Development,
the Department of Public Works, the Police Bureau and the Fire Bureau
and their designee(s).
This chapter is not intended to supersede or
replace any other ordinance, state laws, or regulations, which in
whole or in part may apply to any of the subject matter(s) herein,
rather it is intended to supplement any such ordinances, laws, or
regulations.
Nothing in this chapter shall be considered
to affect any suit or proceeding now pending in any court or any rights
acquired, or liability incurred, or any cause or causes of action
accrued or existing, under any act, ordinance or part of ordinance
hereby repealed. No right or remedy of any character shall be lost,
impaired, or affected by this chapter.