Vegetation on private property (ordinance) 3-10-11 (revised) — File 190286

REVISED DRAFT 3-8-11 CITY OF SOMERVILLE ORDINANCE NO. 2010 – IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN: WHEREAS, the majority of property owners in Somerville take diligent and good care of their properties; WHEREAS, some property owners allow their property to be maintained in a status that can provide locations for infestations of rodents, vermin, or dangerous insects, or allow hazardous trees to remain on their properties; WHEREAS, the City needs appropriate regulations to ensure that properties are maintained in a manner that does not contribute to infestations of rodents, vermin or dangerous insects, or as health or safety hazards, now, Therefore, be it ordained by the Board of Aldermen in session assembled, that the Code of Ordinances of the City of Somerville is hereby amended as identified. 1. Chapter 9 Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, Article 4 Offenses Against Property, Section 9-56 Nuisances on Private Property is hereby amended to read as follows (additions are underlined and deletions are crossed out): Section 9-56. – Weeds and Grass on Sidewalks. Section 9-56. Vegetation and Wood on Private Property. Section 9-56(a) Weeds and overgrowth on or abutting public property. (a) No person in control of any property abutting a sidewalk or public right of way shall allow to remain uncut any overgrowth of grass, shrubs, planted therein by the city nor suffer to remain any overgrowth of grass and weeds growing in or around such sidewalk or public right of way. Section 9-56(b) Vegetation on private property. All persons in control of property shall maintain such property free of vegetation that is or may reasonably become infested with rodents, vermin, other dangerous insects or other animals, conceal pools of stagnant water conducive to the breeding of mosquitoes, or create a fire hazard. Section 9-56(c) Wood stored outside on private property. No person in control of property shall store, place, or permit to be stored or placed any wood out of doors in a manner which may reasonably provide rodents or other animals with harboring places.

REVISED DRAFT 3-8-11 Section 9-56(d) Decayed or hazardous trees. No person in control of any property shall allow to remain any decayed, dead, or hazardous trees or tree limbs potentially injurious to the public health and safety or property. Section 9-56(e) Penalty. (b) Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section shall be fined in accordance with Section 1-11. Each day that a violation exists shall be considered a separate offense. 2. Chapter 1 General Provisions, Section 1-11(b) Penalties and Violations is hereby amended to read as follows (additions are underlined and deletions are crossed out): Offense Fine Enforcing Personnel Cutting of Grass on Sidewalks Vegetation and Wood on Private Property (Sec. 9-56) 1st Offense: $25 2nd Offense: $50 3rd and subsequent offense: $100 Police; commissioner of public works, inspectional services, health inspectors