Draft chapter 52: Weeds and Noxious Growths
§ 52.05 Provisions
The 2026 draft's § 52.05 beside the current code's § 52.05: removed words are struck through, added words underlined.
Comparison with a draft: not adopted. The archive holds no public hearing, ordinance or vote adopting the recodified Code through the October 20, 2026 meeting packet. Until one is adopted, every page here compares the consolidated code with a draft that can still change: the revised draft with the October 6 changes is not in the archive.
A comparison with the August 2026 draft recodification prepared by Iowa Codification for the City. The draft has not been adopted and can still change; the current code (unofficial compilation) governs until a recodified Code is adopted. Matches between sections are made by machine from the texts and are reviewed where uncertain.
Wording changed minor wording (97% same words)
What changed
1. Each owner and each person in the possession or control of
2. Each owner and each person in possession or control of any property within the City limits
A. Keep said property, along with parking adjacent thereto, alleys, public
B. Keep grasses and weeds on said property, along with parking adjacent thereto, mowed so that grass and weeds are less than
C. However, grass and weeds located on undeveloped and unplatted property located more than 100 feet from developed or platted property shall be mowed so that grass and weeds are less than
D. Farm crops, pasture, vineyards, orchards, garden plants, and ornamental plants in established planting beds may exceed the requirements of this chapter. However, weeds and brush in such areas shall be cut so that such weeds or brush are less than two
3. Each owner and each person in the possession or control of any property shall not allow any plant growth of any sort to remain in such a manner as to render the streets, alley, or public ways adjoining said property unsafe for public travel or in any manner so as to impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic upon any public place or way.
4. Where waterway or watercourses are found upon any developed or undeveloped property, the owner or person in possession or control shall keep the flat or level part of the bank of said waterway free of any weeds and grasses more than
5. No owner or person in possession or control of any developed or undeveloped property shall allow plant growth or the accumulation of plant materials on such lot to remain in such a state so as to constitute a fire hazard.
Word-level comparison of the current text with the draft's; spacing and paragraph breaks come from the documents' text. Footnotes are left out.
Current code
§ 52.05 Provisions
Except as provided elsewhere in this chapter, the following provisions shall apply:
1. Each owner and each person in the possession or control of anyland within the City limits of the City of Tiffin, Iowa, shall cut or otherwise destroy all noxious weeds thereon and shall keep said landsfree of such growth.
2. Each owner and each person in possession or control of any property within the City limits of the City of Tiffin, Iowa, shall be responsible to:
A. Keep said property, along with parking adjacent thereto, alleys, public ways or areas up to the centerline of said ways free of any noxious weeds.
B. Keep grasses and weeds on said property, along with parking adjacent thereto, mowed so that grass and weeds are less than ten (10) inches in height.
C. However, grass and weeds located on undeveloped and unplatted property located more than 100 feet from developed or platted property shall be mowed so that grass and weeds are less than eighteen (18) inches in height.
D. Farm crops, pasture, vineyards, orchards, garden plants, and ornamental plants in established planting beds may exceed the requirements of this chapter. However, weeds and brush in such areas shall be cut so that such weeds or brush are less than two (2) feet in height.
3. Each owner and each person in the possession or control of any property shall not allow any plant growth of any sort to remain in such a manner as to render the streets, alley, or public ways adjoining said property unsafe for public travel or in any manner so as to impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic upon any public place or way.
4. Where waterway or watercourses are found upon any developed or undeveloped property, the owner or person in possession or control shall keep the flat or level part of the bank of said waterway free of any weeds and grasses more than eighteen (18) inches in height. Should such waterways or watercourses be found within the right-of-way of a street or alley, the adjacent property owner or person in possession or control shall be responsible to keep the flat or accessible portion of creekbank free of any weeds or grasses more than 18 inches in height.
5. No owner or person in possession or control of any developed or undeveloped property shall allow plant growth or the accumulation of plant materials on such lot to remain in such a state so as to constitute a fire hazard.
2026 draft
§ 52.05 Provisions
Except as provided elsewhere in this chapter, the following provisions shall apply:
1. Each owner and each person in the possession or control of any land within the City limits shall cut or otherwise destroy all noxious weeds thereon and shall keep said lands free of such growth.
2. Each owner and each person in possession or control of any property within the City limits shall be responsible to:
A. Keep said property, along with parking adjacent thereto, alleys, public ways, or areas up to the centerline of said ways free of any noxious weeds.
B. Keep grasses and weeds on said property, along with parking adjacent thereto, mowed so that grass and weeds are less than 10 inches in height.
C. However, grass and weeds located on undeveloped and unplatted property located more than 100 feet from developed or platted property shall be mowed so that grass and weeds are less than 18 inches in height.
D. Farm crops, pasture, vineyards, orchards, garden plants, and ornamental plants in established planting beds may exceed the requirements of this chapter. However, weeds and brush in such areas shall be cut so that such weeds or brush are less than two feet in height.
3. Each owner and each person in the possession or control of any property shall not allow any plant growth of any sort to remain in such a manner as to render the streets, alley, or public ways adjoining said property unsafe for public travel or in any manner so as to impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic upon any public place or way.
4. Where waterway or watercourses are found upon any developed or undeveloped property, the owner or person in possession or control shall keep the flat or level part of the bank of said waterway free of any weeds and grasses more than 18 inches in height. Should such waterways or watercourses be found within the right-of-way of a street or alley, the adjacent property owner or person in possession or control shall be responsible to keep the flat or accessible portion of creek bank free of any weeds or grasses more than 18 inches in height.
5. No owner or person in possession or control of any developed or undeveloped property shall allow plant growth or the accumulation of plant materials on such lot to remain in such a state so as to constitute a fire hazard.
Back to draft chapter 52 · All changes
Data last updated October 22, 2026. Built from the archive's documents; see how the data is built.