Part 3
Brush, Grass and Weeds

§10-301 Uncontrolled Growths Prohibited.

The uncontrolled growth of brush, grass or weeds within the Borough is prohibited. No owner of land within the Borough shall permit brush, grass or weeds to grow uncontrolled on his land.

(Ord. 615, 10/7/1991, §3)

§10-302 Interpretation.

Growth of brush, grass or weeds shall be deemed uncontrolled when its average height above the surface of the ground is at least 8 inches and it is determined that the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Borough is harmed, or is in imminent danger of being harmed, by the presence of insects, rodents, snakes or other vermin or by other hazardous conditions caused by or related to such growth.

(Ord. 615, 10/7/1991, §3)

§10-303 Notice of Violation.

In conjunction with the service of the citation for the violation of §10-301 of this Part, the Borough shall notify the owner of the land in writing to cut and remove the brush, grass and weeds from his land within 5 days thereafter. The notice shall be served upon the owner in the same manner as is specified by law for, and at the same time as, service of the citation. Upon the owner’s refusal or failure to cut and remove the brush, grass and weeds from his land within 5 days after service of the notice, the owner may be cited for violating §10-301 of this Part for each day thereafter that he fails or refuses to do so, and each of such days shall constitute a separate offense in addition to the offense for which the owner was first cited.

(Ord. 615, 10/7/1991, §3)

§10-304 Abatement of Nuisance.

In the event that the owner who is in violation of §10-301 of this Part fails or refuses to cut and remove the brush, grass and weeds from his land within 15 days after service of the notice specified in §10-303 of this Part, the Borough may cause the brush, grass and weeds to be cut and removed and collect the cost thereof, together with a penalty of 10 percent of such cost, in the manner provided by law for the collection of municipal claims or by civil action against the owner.

(Ord. 615, 10/7/1991, §3)

§10-305 Violations and Penalties.

Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a magisterial district judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $1,000 plus costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred by the Borough in the enforcement proceeding and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this Part continues or each Section of this Part which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense. Every violator of a provision of this Part shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day such violation continues, not counting the 5-day period after service of the notice specified in §10-303, and shall be subject to the penalties authorized by this Section for each and every such separate offense. These penalties are in addition to and separate from the civil remedies provided in §10-304 of this Part.

(Ord. 615, 10/7/1991, §3; as amended by Ord. 825, 10/3/2016, §5(B))