152.01 PURPOSE.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a maximum height that grass on lands within the City may be grown before it must be cut.
Municipal Code
Chapter 152 – Height of Grass
Regulations establishing maximum allowable grass and weed heights in residential, business, industrial, and unplatted districts, including notice requirements, failure-to-cut procedures, cost assessment, and exemptions for agricultural land.
Chapter 152
Height of Grass
Chapter Contents
152.02 HEIGHT OF GRASS.
The allowable maximum height of grass and/or weeds shall be eight (8) inches in developed residential, business and industrial zoned districts; twelve (12) inches in undeveloped residential, business and industrial zoned districts; and eighteen (18) inches in unplatted districts other than agricultural districts. The property owner and occupant are also jointly and severally responsible for mowing the abutting space between the lot line and the curb line or edge of the traveled portion of the street right-of-way and one half of any alley abutting the property. A lot may be exempted from the provisions of this chapter on the following conditions:
1. All owners of property abutting such lot must consent in writing.
2. A firebreak thirty (30) feet in width on all sides of such lot shall be mowed to the height of not more than eight (8) inches.
3. The lot shall contain no "noxious weeds" as defined in Chapter 317 of the Code of Iowa.
4. The property owner shall assume in writing all liability for such condition and indemnify the City for any claims or damages related thereto.
152.03 VIOLATION.
Upon determination by visual observation and measurement that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the City will post notice on the primary entrance of the premises informing the landowner and occupants of the violation and the action that is to be taken.
(Ord. 380 – Feb. 19 Supp.)
152.04 NOTICE.
The notice shall set forth that the property owner has forty-eight (48) hours from the date of the notice to have the grass cut so that the height conforms with this chapter. The notice shall set forth the address of the property in question and shall instruct the landowner that the notice constitutes notice for the balance of the summer and that further action will be taken by the City to remedy the problem if it occurs again on the same property without additional notice being given.
(Ord. 380 – Feb. 19 Supp.)
152.05 FAILURE TO CUT GRASS.
If the property owner fails to cut the grass so that it conforms with this chapter within the time period set forth in the notice, the Public Works Director may cause the grass to be cut and the cost of this action will be assessed against the property. The fee for this service will be set by resolution.
152.06 ADDITIONAL VIOLATION.
Any landowner who violates this chapter will be given one notice per summer and the City will be authorized to respond to additional violations without additional written notice being given.
152.07 EXCEPTIONS.
This chapter pertains to all residential, business and industrial land within the City limits, but excludes agricultural land within the City.
(Ch. 152 – Ord. 323 – Feb. 04 Supp.)