Chapter 4.24
MONUMENTS, HEADSTONES AND PLANTINGS
Sections:
4.24.010 Aboveground marking restricted.
4.24.020 Permission from city for objects on lots.
4.24.030 Planting restricted – Removal.
4.24.040 Alteration of avenues, walks and roads.
4.24.050 Monument, marker and headstone classifications.
4.24.060 Existing aboveground marking.
4.24.010 Aboveground marking restricted.
All work in the care and improvement of lots shall be done by cemetery superintendent. No lots or graves shall be defined by small trees, shrubs, roses, plants, fences, roping, railing, or any other marking that will extend above the ground. All marking of lot boundaries will be by cornerstones set by the cemetery superintendent upon the lines bounding the lots. Cornerstones must not project above the ground and must not be altered or removed. (Ord. 16-16 § 6, 2016; Ord. 12-91 § 2, 1991).
4.24.020 Permission from city for objects on lots.
No iron works, wire works, seats, boxes, benches, artificial flowers, arbors, trellises, tripods, or objects of similar description will be allowed on lots. Benches may be placed on special areas designated by the cemetery superintendent, subject to city council approval. The cost for the bench lot on which the bench is to be placed shall be fixed and adopted by resolution of the city council or by designee if the city council has delegated this responsibility through a formal instrument. (Ord. 16-16 § 6, 2016; Ord. 25-99 § 2, 1999; Ord. 12-91 § 2, 1991).
4.24.030 Planting restricted – Removal.
In order to secure the best general appearance, all plantings not prohibited in BMC 4.24.010 and 4.24.020 shall be done only in accordance with the established plan under the direction of the cemetery superintendent and the planning director. The city reserves the right to exclude or remove from any lot any headstone, monument, or other structure, tree, plant, or any other object that may conflict with the regulations or which the city may consider injurious to the general appearance of the cemetery grounds. No trees, plants or flowers growing within any lot shall be removed or trimmed without the consent of the cemetery superintendent. (Ord. 16-16 § 6, 2016; Ord. 11-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 12-91 § 2, 1991).
4.24.040 Alteration of avenues, walks and roads.
The city reserves the right to lay out, alter or vacate avenues, walks, and roads, to establish the grade of avenues, walks, and roads and to change these rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary and proper by the cemetery superintendent and the city council to secure and promote the general interests of the cemetery; and no advance notice of such intended action shall be required. (Ord. 16-16 § 6, 2016; Ord. 12-91 § 2, 1991).
4.24.050 Monument, marker and headstone classifications.
(1) All monuments, headstones, or markers will be set on two inches of rock base course (five-eighths-inch minus), flat and flush with the ground except in areas designated by the cemetery superintendent for the placement of upright monuments, markers, or headstones.
(2) All monuments, headstones and markers less than three inches thick will be set in a concrete base, said base to extend four inches on all sides not containing a flower vase hole and not over six inches on sides or ends which do not contain a flower vase hole. On cremation lots the maximum size of monuments, headstones and markers shall be 22 inches by 22 inches on a single lot and 22 inches by 44 inches for a double. On regular full size lots, the maximum size of monuments, headstones and markers shall be 44 inches wide and 72 inches long on a single lot and 70 inches wide and 72 inches long for a double. On both regular and double full size lots monuments, headstones and markers shall be positioned in the center of the lot width and near the top of the lot length. For lots in the baby land the maximum size of monuments, headstones and markers shall be 32 inches wide and 24 inches long.
(3) No monuments, markers or headstones may be installed within the cemetery without giving 24 hours’ advance notice to the cemetery superintendent. No monuments, markers or headstones shall be set except during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Prior to installation of a monument, marker or headstone, the installer shall obtain approval from the cemetery superintendent or designee, the application for which shall require information on the lot location, the lot owner, the stone size and the time and date of installation. The fee for said setting permit will be established by city council resolution or by designee if the city council has delegated this responsibility through a formal agreement, and must be paid in advance of the setting. This fee shall reimburse the cemetery for review of the layout and finished installation inspection by cemetery personnel. After installation, all dirt and sod shall be hauled away from the cemetery grounds and the work area shall be cleaned to the satisfaction of the cemetery superintendent. (Ord. 09-18 § 1, 2018; Ord. 16-16 § 6, 2016; Ord. 5-94 § 1, 1994; Ord. 12-91 § 2, 1991).
4.24.060 Existing aboveground marking.
All existing aboveground monuments, headstones, and markers that become a safety hazard or maintenance problem may be removed and reinstalled flush to the ground when approved by the cemetery superintendent and the city council. The cemetery superintendent shall attempt to contact relatives or others to be notified of the change. If this cannot be done an ad will be run in the local newspaper for two consecutive weeks stating that the change will be undertaken. (Ord. 16-16 § 6, 2016; Ord. 12-91 § 2, 1991).