As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BRUSH
Includes all manner and kinds of shrubs, thickets, undergrowth, vines, bushes and small trees which are allowed to grow wild.
A. 
Generally. It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee or occupant or any agent, servant, representative or employee of any owner, lessee or occupant having control of any occupied or unoccupied lot or land or any part of land thereof in the City to permit or maintain on any such lot or land or on or along the sidewalk, street or alley adjacent to the same, any growth or brush, weeds, grass or other rank vegetation to a greater height than eight inches or to permit or maintain on said land any accumulation of dead brush, weeds or grass.
B. 
Poisonous or detrimental plants. It shall also be unlawful for any person to cause, suffer or allow poison ivy, ragweed or other poisonous plants or plants detrimental to health to grow on any such lot or land in such a manner that any part of such ivy, ragweed or other poisonous plants, or plants detrimental to health shall extend upon, overhang or border any public place.
It shall be the duty of every owner, lessee or occupant of any lot or land to cut and remove or cause to be cut and removed all brush, weeds, grass or other rank, poisonous or harmful vegetation as often as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of § 135-14. The cutting and removing of such brush, weeds, grass and vegetation at least once in every three weeks between May 15 and October 15 shall be deemed to be a compliance with this section.
If the provisions of this article are not complied with, the Director of the Department of Development shall cause to be served, either personally or by certified or registered mail, written notice upon the owner, lessee or occupants or any person having the care or control of such lot or land to comply with the provisions of the foregoing. If service by mail, such notice is sufficient if mailed to the last known address of the owner, occupant or agent.
If the person upon whom the notice provided for in § 135-16 is served neglects or refuses to cut and remove or cause to be cut and removed such brush, weeds, grass or other vegetation within five days after receipt of such notice, or if no person can be found in the City who either is or claims to be the owner of such lot or land or who either represents or claims to represent such owner, the Department of Public Works shall cause such weeds, brush, grass and other vegetation of such lot or land to be cut and removed.
[Added 8-21-1995]
A. 
In any case where the City cuts, mows or removes brush, weeds, grass or any other vegetation as provided for in Article IV, § 135-17, then in such case, the property owner as recorded in the office for the Division of Assessment for said address will be charged the following sums of money for the City's service:[1]
1/4 acre area or less
$150
1/4 acre - 1/2 acre area
$300
1/2 acre - 3/4 acre area
$350
3/4 acre - 1 acre area
$400
Each additional 1/4 acre or less above 1 acre
$150 each
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).
B. 
In addition thereto, a surcharge of $200 is to be added and paid for any such service performed by the City.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. IV).
C. 
If any such charge as provided for above remains unpaid for 45 days or more from the date of the first said notice to the owner, said charge shall be a lien upon the real property so improved by the City and shall be added and levied upon such parcel of assessed real property by the City Treasurer and shall bear interest at the same rate as real property taxes and shall be collected and enforced in the same manner as general City taxes, or in the alternative, as the City may elect to collect any such amounts through Small Claims Court.