Discussion and Review of Tiffin Municipal Code Revisions – Preparation for Setting the Public Hearing — Tiffin City Code - DRAFT

CHAPTER 52 WEEDS AND NOXIOUS GROWTHS 52.01 Weeds and Noxious Growths Must be Destroyed 52.05 Provisions or Cut 52.06 Natural Areas 52.02 Definitions 52.07 Exempt Property 52.03 Authority for Enforcement 52.08 Violation and Notice 52.04 Interference with Enforcement 52.09 Failure to Cut and Collection 52.01 WEEDS AND NOXIOUS GROWTHS MUST BE DESTROYED OR CUT. All weeds, vines, brush, or other growth which constitutes a health, safety, or fire hazard, on any lot or parking adjacent thereto, shall be destroyed by the owner or persons in possession of the lot; or, in lieu of destruction, weeds and growths specified herein shall be frequently cut. In addition to noxious weeds, grass that is allowed to grow more than 10 inches high shall also be deemed a nuisance under this chapter and subject to all provisions herein. 52.02 DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this chapter the following terms are defined: 1. “Conservation area” means an area that is planted with ground cover plants of a size and texture compatible with the environment and maintained accordingly. 2. “Developed lot” or “Land” means an improved residential or commercial lot. 3. “Grass” means any plant of the family Gramineae, having jointed stems, sheathing leaves, and seedlike grains. 4. “Ground cover” means plants with the growth and root capacity to cover and stabilize an area of soil and to prevent erosion. 5. “Natural area” means an area allowed to retain native plant material in a natural prairie state. 6. “Noxious weeds” means primary and secondary classes of weeds as defined by the Code of Iowa, and all additions to this list as so declared by the State Secretary of Agriculture. 7. “Parking” means that part of the street, avenue or highway in the City not covered by sidewalk and lying between the lot line and curb line; on unpaved streets, the parking is that part of the street, avenue, or highway lying between the lot lines and that portion of the street usually traveled by vehicular traffic. 8. “Right-of-way” means the entire width of a platted street or alley in use or undeveloped. 9. “Soil erosion control” means a method of planting and cultivation, or lack of same, designed to retain soil and to prevent soil movement caused by natural or manmade causes. 10. “Undeveloped lot or land” means an unimproved lot or area. 11. “Weeds” means any plants growing uncultivated and out of context with the surrounding plant life when such plant has a seed head formed or forming and with a height of 10 inches or more, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. CODE OF ORDINANCES, TIFFIN, IOWA - 417 -