The City Council has approved two new ordinances - one making changes to the maintenance of the growth of weeds, grass or other rank vegetation and the other regarding swimming pools. The ordinances were adopted as emergency ordinances and will go into effect April 28, 2011.
Ordinance No. 164 amends Sections 14-180, 14-181 and adds Section 30-35 to the Code of Ordinances of the City of Cedar Springs. It states that the owner or occupant of every premises or the owner of every unoccupied premises, shall not permit or maintain on any premises any growth of weeds, grass or other rank vegetation to a greater height than eight (8) inches or any accumulation of dead weeds, grass or brush within 200 feet of any structure.
It also states it is the duty of the owner or occupant of every premises and the duty of the owner of every unoccupied premises to cut and remove or destroy by lawful means all weeds, grass or rank, noxious or harmful vegetation as often as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the ordinance.
Failure to maintain the premises may result in the City issuing a notice to abate to the owner or occupant of the premises. If the violation has not been corrected at the expiration of the notice to abate, the City may cause the weeds, grass or rank, noxious vegetation to be cut or destroyed with any and all costs incurred by the City to constitue a lien against the property until paid.
Ordinance No. 165 added a new Section 40-467, Chapter 40 of the Code of Ordinances entitled “Zoning Ordinance, Swimming Pools.”
This ordinance states swimming pools of any nature (whether in-ground, portable, above ground, inflatable or otherwise) the height of which, if filled with liquid exceeds 18 inches, shall be allowed on a residential lot as an accessory use of the property, subject ot the requirements of the Building Code.
The ordinance only allows swimming pools in a side or rear yard with a minimum of a ten-foot setback to be provided from the side and rear yards.
Further, swimming pools may not be located under overheard wires or within public utility or other public easements.
What is rank vegetation?
Vegetation other than trees or shrubs. Plants that actually serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, a refuge for vermin infestation, or any growth that creates a traffic hazard are considered weeds or rank vegetation.
Interesting……I have a neighbor with a yard full of rank whatever that draws every critter in the forest into my yard. He’s only been given 30 plus years to clean it up, but it still sits there. Maybe the City should do something about that…..
The City is very familiar with the neighbor to whom you are referring. Our Code Enforcment Officer visits the property regularly. Due to the property owner’s age and health, his son has started cleaning up the yard, one truck load at a time. As you mentioned though, its been going on for 30+ years and won’t be cleaned up overnight. We are making progress with this property owner and will continue to hold him accountable. When the City first hired a part-time Code Enforcement Officer, the goal was to not let the problem get any worse. Now our goal is to see progress towards clean-up. If you witness any more junk coming in (rather than going out), please feel free to contact the Code Enforcement Officer at 696-1330 x 341.
I was reading about the changes to Ordinance #164 about 3 minutes after I read that the City eliminated Weed control in 2 areas of the budget. What is the plan for City staying in compliance with the new ordinance? Seems to be hypocritical.
The City eliminated the pesticide spraying at Elmwood Cemetery and Morley Park in the 2011/2012 budget, but we will continue to mow all City property. The weed ordinance applies to noxious vegetation over 8″ in height. It is not our intent to let the vegetation exceed 8″ in height.