Chapter 25

BRUSH, GRASS AND WEEDS

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Holmen 1-8-1998. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 25-1.  Purpose.

This chapter is adopted due to the unique nature of the problems associated with lawns, grasses and noxious weeds being allowed to grow excessive length in the village. 

§ 25-2.  Public nuisance declared.

The Village Board finds that lawns, grasses and noxious weeds, on lots or parcels of land, which exceed eight inches in length adversely affect the public health and safety of the public in that they tend to admit pollen and other discomforting bits of plants, constitute a fire hazard and a safety hazard in that debris can be hidden in the grass, interfere with the public convenience and adversely affect property values of other land within the village. For that reason any lawn, grass or weeds, on a lot or parcel of land, which exceed eight inches in length are hereby declared to be a public nuisance, except for property located in a designated floodplain and/or a designated wetland area or where, in the opinion of the village, is an acceptable natural area. 

§ 25-3.  Nuisances prohibited.

No person, firm or corporation shall permit any public nuisance as defined in § 25-2 above to remain on any premises owned or controlled by him or her within the village. 

§ 25-4.  Inspection.

The Weed Commissioner or his/her designee shall inspect or cause to be inspected all premises and places within the village to determine whether any public nuisance as defined in § 25-2 above exists. If the Weed Commissioner is denied entry to the premises, he/she may seek an inspection warrant pursuant to Sec. 66.122, Wis. Statutes. 

§ 25-5.  Abatement of nuisance. 

A.     If the Weed Commissioner or his/her designee shall determine with reasonable certainty that any public nuisance as defined in § 25-2 above exists, he/she shall immediately cause written notice to be sent by certified mail to the owner of the parcel, that the owner has five days after the certified letter is sent to have the lot grass or lawn cut so as to conform with this section. 

B.      In any case where the owner, occupant or person in charge of the property shall fail to cut his/her lawn, grass or weeds within the required five days as set forth above, then the village may elect to cut said lawn, grass, or weeds as follows: 

(1)    Written notice shall be personally served, delivered or mailed informing the owner of the parcel of his or her failure to abate the nuisance, the village's intention to abate the same and the cost thereof, no less than 24 hours prior to the village's cutting of the lawn, grass or weeds. 

(2)    The village shall cut or cause to be cut all grass and weeds from the subject's property and shall charge the fee of $200 or actual cost, whichever is greater, to the property owner. If said statement is not paid in full within 30 days thereafter, the Village Clerk shall enter the charge in the tax roll as a special tax against said lot or parcel of land, and the same shall be collected in all respects like other taxes upon real estate, or as provided under Sec. 66.60(16), Wis. Statutes. [Amended 11-9-2000 by Ord. No. 2.00]