CHAPTER 52
MOWING OF PROPERTIES

52.01  PURPOSE.  The purpose of this chapter is to beautify and preserve the appearance of the City by requiring property owners and occupants to maintain grass lawns at a uniform height within the boundaries of their property and on abutting street right-of-way in order to prevent unsightly, offensive or nuisance conditions.    

52.02        DEFINITIONS.  For use in this Chapter the following terms are defined:
1.       “Curb,” “curb line,” or “curbing” means the outer boundaries of a street at the edge of that portion of the street usually traveled by vehicular traffic.
2.       “Cut,” or “mow” means to mechanically maintain the growth of grass, weeds, or brush at a uniform height.
3.       “Owner” means a person owning private property in the City and any person occupying private property in the City.
4.       “Parking” means that part of a street in the City not covered by a sidewalk and lying between the lot line or property line and the curb line; or on unpaved streets, that part of the street lying between the lot line or property line and that portion of the street usually traveled by vehicular traffic. 

52.03        CUTTING SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
1.       Every owner shall cut, mow and maintain all grass, weeds and brush upon the owner’s property and adjacent to the curb line or outer boundary of any street, which includes the parking area abutting the owner’s property, to a uniform height as defined in Section 52.04.
2.       Every owner shall cut, mow and maintain all grass, weeds and brush adjacent to the curb line, including the parking area abutting the owner’s property, in such a manner so as to be in conformity with and at an even height with all other grass, weeds, or brush growing on the remainder of the owner’s property.
 

52.04        UNIFORM HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS.  Grass, weeds or brush shall be cut, mowed and maintained so as not to exceed the following height specifications:
1.       Developed Residential Areas – not to exceed 8 inches (8”)
2.       Undeveloped Residential Areas – not to exceed 8 inches (8”)
3.       Business and Industrial Areas – not to exceed six inches (6”)
4.       Agriculture Areas – not to exceed fifteen inches (15”) 

Grass, weeds, and brush which are allowed to grow in excess of the above specified limitations are deemed to be violations of this chapter.  Any property within the City of Guthrie Center, whether vacated or non-vacated, is required to conform to these specifications. 

52.05        PUBLICATION OF NOTICE  Annual spring publication of this ordinance in an official newspaper shall serve as notice to property owners.  The City will be authorized to respond to violations without additional written notice being given.

52.06        FAILURE TO COMPLY.  If the property owner fails to comply with this Ordinance, the Council or its appointee shall cause the property to be mowed.  The fee for this service will be set by resolution and will be assessed against the property. 

52.07  ABATEMENT BY CITY.  If the property owner neglects or fails to abate as directed by this Ordinance, the City may perform the required action to abate.  The fee for the abatement will be set by the City Council. 

52.08  COLLECTION OF COSTS.  The City Clerk shall send a statement of the total expense incurred to the property owner who has failed to abide by the publication notice.  If the amount shown by the statement has not been paid within one (1) month, the Clerk shall certify the costs to the County Treasurer and such costs shall then be collected with, and in the same manner as general property taxes. 

52.09  FAILURE TO ABATE.  Any person causing or maintaining a nuisance who shall fail or refuse to abate or remove the same is in violation of this Code of Ordinances.