Chapter 8.12
WEED AND VEGETATION CONTROL
Sections:
8.12.030 Enforcement procedure.
8.12.050 Supplemental authority.
8.12.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to enact by local general ordinance provisions authorized by RCW 35.21.310. (Ord. 15-137 § 1).
8.12.020 Vegetation removal.
The owner of any property in the city shall:
A. Remove or destroy all portions of trees, plants, shrubs, or vegetation, or parts thereof, which overhang any sidewalk or street or that are growing thereon in such a manner as to obstruct or impair the free and full use of the sidewalk or street by the public; and
B. Remove or destroy all grass, weeds, shrubs, bushes, trees, or vegetation growing or which has grown and died, and remove or destroy all debris, located on the owner’s property and which is determined by the city to be a fire hazard or a menace to the public health, safety or welfare. (Ord. 15-137 § 1).
8.12.030 Enforcement procedure.
Enforcement of the provisions of this chapter shall be initiated by passage of a resolution of the city council adopted after not less than five days’ notice to the property owner which shall describe the property involved and the hazardous condition, and require the owner to make such removal or destruction after the notice is given. (Ord. 15-137 § 1).
8.12.040 Abatement by city.
If removal or destruction of the grass, weeds, shrubs, bushes, trees, or other vegetation that is the subject of the notice identified in the resolution of the city council does not occur within 10 days following the date the resolution is passed and provided to the property owner, the city may cause the removal or destruction thereof by use of city staff or through contracting with a third party and shall provide that the cost to the city for the expense of removal or destruction shall become a charge against the owner of the property and a lien against the property. Notice of the lien shall, as nearly as practicable, be in substantially the same form and filed with the same officer and within the same time and manner and enforced and foreclosed as is provided by law for liens for labor and materials. (Ord. 15-137 § 1).
8.12.050 Supplemental authority.
The provisions of this chapter are supplemental and additional to other powers granted or held by the city and concerning the same or similar subjects. (Ord. 15-137 § 1).
8.12.060 Civil infraction.
Any owner of property who fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall, in addition to the city abatement and lien provisions provided for in this chapter, be subject to issuance by the city of a civil infraction and subject to the monetary penalty provided in RIMC 1.20.020, as the same exists now or may hereafter be amended. (Ord. 15-137 § 1).