As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
WEEDS
Includes but is not limited to the following: burdock, ragweed
(giant), ragweed (common), thistle, cockleburr, jimson, wild carrot,
poison ivy, wild mustard, rough pigweed, lambsquarter, wild lettuce,
curled dock, smart weeds (all varieties), poison hemlock, and wild
hemp, and all other plant materials in an unmanaged, untended or uncultivated
state, including grass.
[Amended 9-6-2022 by Ord. No. 7857]
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any property within the City to permit any weeds, grass, or plants, other than trees, bushes, shrubs, flowers, or other ornamental plants, to grow to a height in excess of eight inches. If the provisions of this section are in conflict with Chapter
595, Stormwater Management, the provisions of Chapter
595 shall prevail. Any such weeds, grass, or plants which exceed the height of eight inches shall be deemed nuisance greenery, and shall be cut by the owner to a height of eight inches or less.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any property within the
City to permit any tree, bush, shrub, or planting growing on such
property to overhang, encroach, or obstruct any sidewalk, street,
or other public places in such a manner as to interfere or create
unsafe conditions with traffic or travel. Any such tree, bush, shrub,
or planting so causing interference or creating an unsafe condition
with traffic or travel shall be deemed to be nuisance greenery.
[Amended 9-15-2020 by Ord. No. 7653]
A. If the City removes, or causes to be removed through a contractor,
nuisance greenery, the City shall charge the property owner the following
fees pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/11-20-7(a):
(1) For the first hour of removal activities: $250.
(2) For each additional hour or part thereof: $200.
B. For the purposes of this section, any right-of-way adjacent to the
property that is also mowed shall be considered part of the property.
Property subject to a lien for the charges set forth in §
526-5 of this chapter unpaid shall be sold for nonpayment of the same, and proceeds of such sale shall be applied to pay the charges after deducting costs, as is the case with the foreclosure of statutory liens. Such foreclosures shall be in equity in the name of the City. The City Attorney is hereby authorized and directed to institute such proceedings, in the name of the City, in any court having jurisdiction over such matters.
In addition to the charges set forth in §
526-6 of this chapter, any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be fined as set forth in Chapter
248, Fines, for each offense. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation continues or occurs.