Chapter 8.04
WEEDS AND JUNK*

Sections:

8.04.010    Noxious weeds – Defined – Cutting and destroying required.

8.04.020    Keeping premises free from weeds and junk required.

8.04.030    Destruction of weeds causing fire hazard.

8.04.040    Removal of junk and debris causing fire hazard.

8.04.050    Violation – Penalty.

*For statutory provisions authorizing cities and towns to require removal or destruction of debris, see RCW 35.21.310.

8.04.010 Noxious weeds – Defined – Cutting and destroying required.

(1) All noxious weeds shall be cut and destroyed by the occupants or owners of all premises before the weeds go to seed, or reach a maximum height of eight inches, whichever is sooner.

(2) “Noxious weeds” includes morning glory or bindwood, Canada thistle and whitetop or hoary cress, and any and all other injurious weeds. (Ord. 14-023; Ord. 52 §§ 1, 2, 1943).

8.04.020 Keeping premises free from weeds and junk required.

All premises in the city shall be by the occupants and owners kept at all times free from weeds and junk, the definition of which is stated in Chapter 17.10 KMC. The owner and/or the occupant of all property in the town shall remove all debris, junk and rubbish including, but not limited to, old and unused vehicles and trailer houses, machinery, equipment of all kinds and descriptions or parts thereof, and garbage, whether stored in cans or other receptacles, boxes or vehicles, and see that the same is removed from property owned or occupied and town rights-of-way adjacent to said property, including, but not limited to, alleys and streets, and shall destroy all grasses, weeds, shrubs, bushes, trees or vegetation growing or which has grown and died on property owned or occupied and which are a fire hazard or menace to the general public health, safety or welfare of the citizens of the town. (Ord. 14-023; Ord. 51 § 1, 1943).

8.04.030 Destruction of weeds causing fire hazard.

All weeds, exceeding a height of eight inches, shall be cut and destroyed by the occupants or owners of all premises before the weeds become a fire hazard. (Ord. 14-023; Ord. 51 § 2, 1943).

8.04.040 Removal of junk and debris causing fire hazard.

All junk and debris shall be destroyed or removed before the same becomes a fire hazard. (Ord. 14-023; Ord. 51 § 3, 1943).

8.04.050 Violation – Penalty.

Violations of this chapter shall be punished as follows:

First and second offenses shall constitute civil infractions and shall be subject to a civil fine not to exceed $500.00 for each offense.

Third and subsequent offenses shall constitute misdemeanors and shall be subject to the general misdemeanant penalty codified in Chapter 1.16 KMC. (Ord. 14-023; Ord. 06-041 § 1).