Ceres Municipal Code Ch. 05 Weed Abatement

All weeds or other rank growths located upon private and public property located within the City, or upon sidewalks and streets, and alleys abutting private property within the City, which constitute a fire menace or which are otherwise a menace to health or safety, are a public nuisance and may be abated as provided in this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2020-1055, § 1, 1-27-2020)

The procedure for abatement, including without limitation the definitions, provisions for notice, hearings, appeals, abatement by City forces or contract, the recovery of costs, and the imposition of liens, found in California Government Code title 4, part 2, chapter 13, article 2 (commencing with Government Code section 39560) is adopted by reference. The procedure established by this chapter shall be an alternative to and cumulative to any other remedy available at law or equity for the abatement of the nuisances defined by law.

(Ord. No. 2020-1055, § 1, 1-27-2020)

Certain words and phrases are defined in this section to clarify their use in this chapter. Where a definition is not given or where a question of interpretation arises, the definition found in Cal. Gov't Code title 4, part 2, chapter 13, article 2 (commencing with California Government Code section 39560) shall control. Or, if not defined in said article, then the definition found in this chapter shall control. Or, if not defined in this chapter, then the normal meaning of the word within the context of its use shall control.

Superintendent means the City Manager or designee of the City or his or her authorized representatives, including without limitation the Code Enforcement Officer(s).

Weeds means all grass, weeds, plants or brush growing upon the streets, sidewalks or private property in the City and includes any of the following:

1. Weeds which bear seeds of a downy or wingy nature;

2. Mistletoe or other parasite growth;

3. Sandburrs or puncture vines;

4. Sagebrush, chaparral and any other brush or weeds which attain such large growth as to become, when dry, a fire menace to adjacent improved property;

5. Weeds which are otherwise noxious or dangerous;

6. Poison oak and poison ivy when the conditions of growth are such as to constitute a menace to the public health;

7. Dry grass, stubble, brush, litter or other flammable material that endangers the public safety by creating a fire hazard.

(Ord. No. 2020-1055, § 1, 1-27-2020)

A. It is the duty of every owner of private property within the City to keep their property clear of and to remove and destroy all weeds, rubble, rubbish or other rank growths located on their property. Weeds growing upon any lot or tract of land which appears on the assessment roll as a single parcel and exceeds 20 acres in size may be abated by the removal of such weeds from a 30-foot area around the entire perimeter of the parcel and around all structures situated thereon. In all other cases, weeds must be removed from the entire parcel.

B. It is the duty of every owner of private property within the City to keep their property clear of and to remove all weeds, rubble, rubbish or other obstructions from the sidewalks and the half of the streets abutting their property.

(Ord. No. 2020-1055, § 1, 1-27-2020)

In removing or destroying weeds, rubble or rubbish in accordance with this chapter owners shall comply with such standards as may be established by the City Council by resolution.

(Ord. No. 2020-1055, § 1, 1-27-2020)

The violation of any of the provisions of this article is unlawful and an infraction. Each day conditions or actions in violation of any provision of this article continue is deemed a separate and distinct offense.

(Ord. No. 2020-1055, § 1, 1-27-2020)