The purpose of this chapter is to beautify and preserve the appearance of the City by requiring property owners and occupants to maintain grass lawns at a uniform height within the boundaries of their property and on abutting street right-of-way in order to prevent unsightly, offensive, or nuisance conditions.

   For purposes of this chapter, the following terms are defined:

   1.   “Curb,” “curb line,” or “curbing” means the outer boundaries of a street at the edge of that portion of the street usually traveled by vehicular traffic.

   2.   “Cut” or “mow” means to mechanically maintain the growth of grass, weeds, or brush at a uniform height.

   3.   “Owner” means a person owning private property in the City and any person occupying private property in the City.

   4.   “Parking” means that part of a street in the City not covered by a sidewalk and lying between the lot line or property line and the curb line; or on unpaved streets, that part of the street lying between the lot line or property line and that portion of the street usually traveled by vehicular traffic.

   5.   “Mowing season” means the period beginning April 1 and ending October 31.

   1.   Every owner shall cut, mow, and maintain all grass, weeds, and brush upon the owner’s property to a uniform height as defined in Section 52.04(1).

   2.   Every owner shall cut, mow, and maintain grass, weeds, and brush adjacent to the curb line, including the parking area abutting the owner’s property, to a uniform height as defined in Section 52.04(2).

   1.   Grass, weeds, or brush on private property shall be cut, mowed, and maintained so as not to exceed the following height specifications:

      A.   Developed Residential Areas - not to exceed six inches.

      B.   Undeveloped Residential Areas - not to exceed 12 inches.

      C.   Business and Industrial Areas - not to exceed 12 inches.

      D.   Agricultural Areas - not to exceed 15 inches.

      E.   All Undeveloped Properties Adjacent to a Developed Property - not to exceed six inches inside the property along the side and rear yards for a distance of 10 feet measured horizontally into the property from the property line.

   2.   Grass, weeds, or brush adjacent to the curb line or outer boundary of any street, which includes the parking area abutting the owner’s property shall be cut, mowed, and maintained so as not to exceed the following height specifications:

      A.   Six inches.

   Grass, weeds, vines, and brush, which are allowed to grow in excess of the above specified limitations are deemed to be violations of this chapter. (See also Chapter 50)

   1.   Every owner shall cut and control noxious weeds upon the owner’s property and adjacent to the curb line or outer boundary of any street, which includes the parking area abutting the owner’s property by cutting noxious weeds to ground level or use of herbicides to eliminate or eradicate such weeds.

   2.   Noxious weeds include any weed growth or plant designated as noxious by the State Department of Natural Resources rules and regulations or by the Code of Iowa.

   Upon discovery of any violations of this chapter, the City may, within three days, initiate abatement procedures as outlined in Chapter 50.