Chapter 7.24
WEED ABATEMENT*

Sections:

7.24.010 Duty of owners of lots to clean.

7.24.020 Failure to keep lots clean – Misdemeanor.

7.24.030 Overhanging vegetation – Fire hazards – Nuisance – Penalty.

7.24.040 Enforcement of chapter – Abatement of nuisance.

*For the statutory provision that provides that a city or town may by ordinance require the owner of any property to remove or destroy weeds that are a menace to public safety, see RCW 35.21.310; for provisions granting a code city all the powers which any city of any class may have, see RCW 35A.21.160.

7.24.010 Duty of owners of lots to clean.

It shall be the duty of every owner, lessee, occupant or agent thereof, or of any person having the care and charge of any lot or lots, land or lands, improved or unimproved, enclosed or unenclosed, in the city, to cut down or otherwise destroy all noxious weeds and grass growing thereon, or in any unimproved portion of any street or alley to the center thereof, and the portion of any improved street within the area known as the parking strip, bordering on any such lot or lots, land or lands, so often in each and every year, as shall be necessary to prevent such noxious weeds and grass from going to seed. (Ord. 1559 § 1, 1972; Ord. 57 § 1, 1925).

7.24.020 Failure to keep lots clean – Misdemeanor.

If any owner, lessee, occupant or agent thereof, or any person having the care or charge of any such lot or lots, land and lands, knowingly permits any noxious weeds or grass to grow thereon, and permits the seeds of any such noxious weeds or grass to ripen, or to otherwise become a fire hazard or a menace to public health, safety or welfare, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition to any fine or other sentence imposed by the court, the court shall add thereto a sum equal to any cost incurred by the city in mowing, removing or otherwise controlling such vegetation. (Ord. 2399 § 1, 1990; Ord. 1559 § 1, 1972; Ord. 57 § 2, 1925).

7.24.030 Overhanging vegetation – Fire hazards – Nuisance – Penalty.

(1) Trees, plants, shrubs or vegetation or parts thereof which so overhang any sidewalk or street, or which are growing thereon in such manner as to obstruct or impair the free and full use of the sidewalk or street by the public are public nuisances.

(2) Grass, weeds, shrubs, bushes, trees or vegetation growing or which has grown and died upon any property and are a fire hazard or a menace to public health, safety or welfare are likewise public nuisances.

(3) It is the duty of the owner of the property wherein or whereon any such nuisances exist to abate the nuisance by destroying, removing or trimming the growth. (Ord. 829 § 1, 1955).

7.24.040 Enforcement of chapter – Abatement of nuisance.

The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced in accordance with Chapter 10.22 LMC. (Ord. 2448 § 1, 1991; Ord. 829 § 3, 1955).