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Editor's Note: For state law as to authority of City to require the cutting of grass and weeds on vacant lots, see Code of Virginia, § 15.2-901.
For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
BLOCK
The land in an area usually designated as a City block bounded by three or more streets in the City.
DEBRIS
Includes cuttings of weeds, as defined in this section, trash, junk, discarded motor vehicles or any other material which may provide a hiding place for snakes or rats or any thing or any condition which may be a fire menace or breeding place for mosquitoes or which gives off obnoxious or offensive odors.
OWNER
Includes persons holding title to any land or lot in the City; lessees, tenants and principal occupants of any land or lot in the City or agents of persons holding title to such lands or lots, having care, custody, control or management of the land or lot; and fiduciaries holding title to or having the care, custody, control or management of land or lots in the City for others.
WEEDS
Grass, weeds, bushes, poison ivy, poison oak or any other vegetable growth other than trees, ornamental shrubbery, flowers and garden vegetables.
[Amended 7-16-1964; 3-16-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-07; 3-15-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-04]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any owner of any land or lot within 50 feet of an occupied residence to permit weeds or grass standing more than 10 inches in height or any debris to remain upon such land or lot, or to remain upon any portion of the area between the property line of such land and the edge of the abutting pavement or the face of the abutting curb, or to remain between the property line and the middle of any adjacent alley.
B. 
A notice to comply letter along with a photo shall be mailed to the property owner via first-class mail advising the owner of the violation. Phone contact may be made in lieu of a letter, if such contact can be readily established. Ten days from the date of notice shall be given to the owner to have the property in question cleaned. For repeat offenders the City may elect to arrange to have the property mowed on a regular basis, which will be indicated in the letter. Mowing will continue unless and until the owner contacts the City and indicates that the owner will make arrangements for mowing, indicating the date by which such mowing will be completed, failing which the City will continue to arrange for mowing without further notice. The City may contract with a mowing service to clean the questioned property should the owner refuse to bring the property in compliance. The City Finance Department shall then cause a bill to be mailed to the owner charging the cost of the mowing services and an appropriate administration fee. A summons may also be issued to any Virginia property owner in conjunction with having the lot cleaned by private contractors.
C. 
Any charge authorized by this section with which the owner of any such property shall have been assessed and which remains unpaid shall constitute a lien against such property.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any land or lot in the City to permit any weeds or debris to remain upon such land or lot, or to remain upon any portion of the sidewalk or street or area between the property line of such land or lot and the curb of the street adjacent to such land or lot, or to remain between the property line of such land or lot and a line in the street adjacent thereto having no curb which line is parallel to the property line and 10 feet distant therefrom, or to remain between the property line and the middle of an alley adjacent to the property line of such land or lot, in such location, size and condition as to constitute an obstruction or hindrance to the safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic upon the streets and alleys of the City or as to constitute a menace to the public safety.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any land or lot within the City to permit any weeds or debris to remain upon such land or lot in such quantity and condition as to constitute a fire hazard.