HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Noxious Weeds ORDINANCE NO.4114
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF
THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY ENACTING A NEW
CHAPTER 5, DIVISION IX, SECTION 5.901 THEREOF, FOR
THE PURPOSE OF DECLARING NOXIOUS WEEDS TO BE A
NUISANCE AND PUNISHABLE AS A MUNICIPAL
INFRACTION; REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES
OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE
EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT; PROVIDING A PENALTY;
AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS,the City of Ames desires to have the ability to locally enforce the abatement of
noxious weeds; and
WHEREAS,Chapter 317 of the Code of Iowa defines those noxious weeds within the State;and
WHEREAS,a local ordinance,punishable as a municipal infraction,will assist the inspections
department in eradicating noxious weeds and will enable them to better respond to customer complaints
regarding the presence of weeds.
Therefore,BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby
amended by enacting a new Chapter 5,Division IX, Section 5.901 as follows:
"DIVISION IX NOXIOUS WEEDS
Sec.5.901. WEED ORDINANCE.
1. Words and Terms Defined
a. Noxious Weeds: Primary and secondary classes of weeds as defined by Iowa Code Section 317.1A.
b. Weed Official: Person designated by the city manager to enforce this section.
2. Nuisance Declared;Penalty
a. It shall be a public nuisance for any owner or person in the possession or control of any land to
allow any noxious weeds to grow thereon.
b. Duty To Cut Noxious Weeds: Each owner and each person in the possession or control of any
land shall cut or otherwise destroy,in whatever manner prescribed by the weed official, all noxious weeds
thereon and shall keep said lands free of such growth.
c. Interference With Weed Official:No persons shall interfere with the weed official or any
appointed assistant while engaged in the enforcement of this chapter."
Section Two. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction
punishable as set out by law.
Section Three. All ordinances, or parts of ordinances, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to
the extent of such conflict,if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as required by law.
Passed this 12"' day of June 2012 .
Diane R.Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell,Mayor