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

CHAPTER 52 WEEDS AND NOXIOUS GROWTHS 52.03 AUTHORITY FOR ENFORCEMENT. City staff members or other persons as may be designated by the Council are responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and shall have all the necessary authority to carry out the enforcement of this chapter. 52.04 INTERFERENCE WITH ENFORCEMENT. No persons shall interfere with the staff member while engaged in the enforcement of this chapter. 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. 52.06 NATURAL AREAS. 1. Designation. The owner or person in possession or control of any property within the City limits may apply to have such land or portion thereof designated as a natural or conservation area. Prior to designating such area, the Council shall consider the following factors: A. Grade or incline of said tract. CODE OF ORDINANCES, TIFFIN, IOWA - 418 -