Chapter 12.20
REMOVAL OF DEBRIS

Sections:

12.20.030    Removal of debris, vegetation, snow or ice from sidewalks and driveways.

12.20.040    Removal of debris from private parking lots.

12.20.050    Failure to keep sidewalks, driveways or parking lots free of debris – Notice of violation.

12.20.060    Removal or abatement of debris – Cost – Lien.

12.20.070    Violation – Misdemeanor.

12.20.030 Removal of debris, vegetation, snow or ice from sidewalks and driveways.

Every owner and/or occupant of any residence or other building including commercial buildings, and the owner or proprietor, lessee or person entitled to the possession of any vacant lot or block, and every person having charge of any church, public hall, public building or commercial building within the city limits shall, at all times, keep the public sidewalk or sidewalks abutting such property, and all driveways within such property clear and free from all dirt, vegetation, gravel, rocks, filth, volcanic ash or other debris or encumbrances; and, further, shall, during the winter season, and during the time snow shall continue on the ground, by 9:00 a.m. on every day after the snowfall, and whenever necessary, clear the sidewalks abutting such property or building from snow and ice and shall keep conveniently free therefrom during the days or shall, in case the snow and ice are so congealed that they cannot be removed without injury to such sidewalk, cause the said snow and ice to be strewed with sand, salt, or other like substance so as to allow citizens to use said sidewalks in a safe and commodious manner. (Ord. 2003 § 2, 1980; Ord. 904 § 1, 1957).

12.20.040 Removal of debris from private parking lots.

Every owner, lessee, occupant or agent thereof or any person having charge of any parking lot or lots, improved or unimproved, enclosed or unenclosed, within the city, shall at all times keep such parking lot clear and free from all dirt, filth, volcanic ash or other debris. (Ord. 2003 § 3, 1980).

12.20.050 Failure to keep sidewalks, driveways or parking lots free of debris – Notice of violation.

If any owner, lessee, occupant or agent thereof, or any person having the care or charge of any such sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot, knowingly permits or suffers any dirt, filth, volcanic ash, snow or other debris to remain on such sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot in violation of this chapter, the director of field services, or such person as he may designate, shall issue a notice of violation of this chapter and cause the same to be served upon or mailed to such owner, lessee, occupant or agent, and in the event that dirt, filth, volcanic ash, snow or other debris is not removed within seven days after having served or mailed such notice, then, in such event, the director of field services, or his representative, may remove such dirt, filth, volcanic ash, snow or other debris in accordance with LMC 12.20.060. (Ord. 2003 § 4, 1980).

12.20.060 Removal or abatement of debris – Cost – Lien.

(1) If the dirt, filth, volcanic ash, snow or other debris is not removed or abated by the owner, lessee, occupant or agent thereof within the time provided in LMC 12.20.050, the director of field services may remove or abate the same, and he shall thereupon prepare a statement covering the cost to the city of such removal or abatement, including all material, supplies and labor, and mail such statement by certified mail with return receipt requested to the owner of the property from which such debris has been removed.

(2) If the owner of such property from which debris has been removed fails or refuses to pay the statement within 15 days from the date the same is mailed, or if no statement is rendered because such owner cannot be found, the director of field services, on behalf of the city, may file a notice of lien in the amount of said statement against said property with the director of finance. Said notice of lien shall be as nearly as practicable in substantially the same form as provided by law for liens for labor and material. The director of finance shall then file said lien, as provided by law, with the officer and within the time and in the manner as provided by statute for liens for labor and material. (Ord. 2003 § 5, 1980).

12.20.070 Violation – Misdemeanor.

Any person, firm or corporation violating, disobeying, neglecting or refusing to comply with the provisions of this chapter with regard to debris removal is guilty of a misdemeanor, and each day that a violation occurs shall constitute a separate offense. (Ord. 2003 § 6, 1980).