Chapter 6A.16
WEEDS, TREES AND GROWTH
Sections:
6A.16.010 Public nuisance declared.
6A.16.040 Nonexclusive remedy.
6A.16.010 Public nuisance declared.
The following are declared to be a public nuisance and are further declared to be a hazard and menace to the public health, safety and welfare:
(1) Weeds, waste, shrubs and other nuisance growth higher than 12 inches;
(2) Tree or shrub of which the lower limbs of any part thereof which shall project or be above:
(a) A sidewalk at an elevation of less than 10 feet;
(b) The curb line at an elevation of less than 13 feet;
(c) A street, alley, or roadway at an elevation of less than 16 feet.
(3) A tree or shrub of which the roots in any manner shall interfere with or cause the surface of the street or sidewalk to be upheaved or otherwise disturbed;
(4) Any tree or shrub which shall in any manner interfere with any of the wires or conduits, sewers or water mains or other property of the city of Wenatchee;
(5) On property at any corner formed by intersecting streets, it is unlawful to install, set out or maintain, or to allow the installation, setting out or maintenance of any hedge, shrubbery, natural growth or other obstruction to the view, higher than three feet above the grade of the respective centerlines of the abutting streets, within that triangular area between the property lines and a diagonal line joining points on the property lines 25 feet from the points of their intersections or in the case of rounded corners that area between the property lines and a diagonal line joining points on the property lines which are 25 feet less the radius of the curve from the point of curvature.
(a) The foregoing provision shall not apply to permanent buildings; public utility poles; trees trimmed (to the trunk) to a line at least eight feet above the level of the intersection; saplings, or plant species of open growth habits and not planted in the form of a hedge, which are so planted and trimmed as to leave at all seasons a clear and unobstructed crossview; supporting members of appurtenances to permanent buildings existing on the date this chapter becomes effective; official warning signs or signals; signs; or to places where the contour of the ground is such that there can be no cross-visibility at the intersection;
(6) Any vegetation, including trees, plants, shrubs, or parts thereof, infected with aphids, elm leaf beetle, San Jose scale, cottony scale, lecanium scale, tent caterpillars, leaf roller larvae, codling moth, and peach leaf twig borer, which overhangs any sidewalk or street or alley, or which is growing thereon or upon any street right-of-way. (Ord. 2522 § 1, 1983; Ord. 2477 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2419 § 1.01, 1980)
6A.16.020 Procedure.
If such a nuisance is found to be a fire hazard, the city, through its fire chief, shall forthwith notify the owner, in writing, to immediately cut the growth to comply with WCC 6A.16.010 and keep the growth cut thereon in a like manner. If such a nuisance is found to be a traffic hazard, the city, through its chief of police, shall forthwith notify the owner, in writing, to immediately cut the growth to comply with WCC 6A.16.010 and keep the growth cut thereon in a like manner. In all other situations the city, through its director of public works, shall forthwith notify the owner, in writing, to immediately cut the growth to comply with WCC 6A.16.010 and keep the growth cut thereon in a like manner. In the event the owner of the lot or parcel is a nonresident of the city, or cannot be found in the city, then notice shall be given by certified mail to the last known address of the owner, and if that address is not known or cannot be obtained, then, by posting the notice on the property itself. The notice shall extend to the owner 10 days from the date of the notice to vacate the nuisance. (Ord. 2419 § 1.01, 1980)
6A.16.030 Failure to abate.
If the owner fails to abate the nuisance within the allotted period of time, the city may seek remedy through the code enforcement board subject to WCC Title 16, and abate the same, and the owner shall be responsible for the cost of the abatement including an administrative charge of $25.00. (Ord. 2014-02 § 2; Ord. 2001-02 § 7; Ord. 2419 § 1.01, 1980)
6A.16.040 Nonexclusive remedy.
Nothing contained herein shall prevent the city from proceeding against the owner of such premises under any civil or criminal proceeding permitted under Chapter 6A.14 WCC, the provisions of this chapter being supplemental and not an exclusive remedy. (Ord. 2004-33 § 10; Ord. 2419 § 1.01, 1980)