Residents who do not maintain their lawns will be cited by the Neighborhood Services Department. All residents must follow the guidelines presented in ordinance
7.22.020 - Nuisance declared - Failure to cut - Costs
The common council further declares in exercise of its police powers that any grass or weeds of whatever nature in excess of seven inches in height on all private premises within the city are a fire hazard, a public nuisance, and a potential health hazard. If any person in the city neglects or fails to cut the same after having been given a five-day written notice (only one such notice need be issued per property per calendar year, thereafter enforcement action may proceed without prior notice) by the city manager or his appointed representative, the city may cut or cause to be cut the grass or weeds and the cost thereof shall be charged at a rate of one hundred dollars per hour with a minimum charge of one hundred dollars. Work lasting more than one hour will be billed an additional twenty-five dollars. Any subsequent cutting of grass or weeds, which takes place within six months of the prior cutting, will be charged at a rate of one hundred fifty dollars per hour, with a minimum charge of one hundred fifty dollars. Work lasting more than one hour will be billed an additional twenty-five dollars. If the city contracts the service out for cutting grass or weeds, the city shall bill back to the property owner the cost of the contracted services, plus a ten percent administrative cost fee, or, at the city's discretion, the street department's going rate for the work. The cost of such removal shall be reported to the finance division in writing with a description of the premises and, if not paid within thirty days of the date of the invoice being sent to the owner of the premises, shall be and become a special tax and lien against the premises and, if not previously paid, shall be inserted in the next ensuing tax roll as a special tax and lien against such premises; and such costs may, in the discretion of the common council, be collected by suit against the owner or occupant of the premises. (Ord. 1637A § 1, 2007: Ord. 1303 § 1, 1995: Ord. 1191 § 1, 1990: Ord. 983 § 20(part),1982; Ord. 974 § 2, 1981:Ord. 861 § 1, 1976: Ord. 699 § 1(part), 1971: prior code § 16.07(2)). (Ord. No. 1997A, § 1, 5-19-2020)
7.22.025 - Exempt areas.
- The following areas are exempt from Section 7.22.020:
- Areas shown on city, state or federal wetland, floodplain maps or environmental corridor maps;
- Areas approved in writing by the city;
- Areas larger than one acre in size except areas which are within twenty-five feet of a developed lot.
(Ord. 1303 § 2, 1995).
7.22.030 - Penalty for violation.
In addition, the city manager or his appointed representative may, having given notice as provided in this section to the owner, occupant or person he determines to be in charge of the premises, issue a citation to the owner, occupant or the person he deems in charge of the premises. Persons convicted of failing to comply with the provisions of this section shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars for the first offense, and not less than fifty dollars nor more than two hundred fifty dollars for the second and subsequent offenses, together with the costs of prosecution. (Ord. 1192 § 1, 1990: Ord. 983 § 20(part), 1982).
Although the City of Whitewater is not participating in No Mow May, there are some great ways you can help our pollinators this spring.
