York County Ordinance 56.67
56.67 CONTROL OF RANK VEGETATION AND OVERGROWN PROPERTY.
(A) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to
provide a
mechanism whereby developed residential, commercial and industrial
property in unincorporated areas of the county may be required to be
maintained free of tall weeds, noxious growth, brush and rank vegetation
more than two feet in height which constitutes a hazard or nuisance,
real or potential, for harboring vermin, the accumulation of
litter, garbage, rubbish, solid waste, bulk, debris or other unsightly
or injurious conditions. It is declared that the regulation of such
property within the unincorporated area of the county is necessary and
in the public interest:
- To encourage a positive visual environment;
- To promote the economic well being of the county by creating a
favorable physical image;
- To protect property values within the county;
- To promote the safety of persons and property by
providing that lots do not create fire or traffic hazards;
- To promote the health, safety and welfare of the public by
ensuring that such property does not become a breeding ground for or
infested with vermin, mosquitoes, insects, noxious diseases or
present physical dangers to the safety and well being of the public.
(B) Exemptions. The following conditions and
properties
shall be exempt from this requirement:
- Any improved property or part thereof on which such
growth may be reasonably demonstrated to be for agricultural or
horticultural use and which are properly attended;
- Wooded portions of rear or sideyards where equipment
cannot maneuver because of density, provided such property is not
otherwise in violation of the provisions of this section;
- Unimproved property on which new permitted construction
work is taking place and during such time as the actual construction
is in progress;
- Any property located in the unincorporated area of
the county outside a developed residential, commercial or industrial
area and not otherwise in violation of the provisions of this
division or used in such manner as to constitute a nuisance.
(C) Overgrown improved property. It shall be
unlawful for
the owner, agent or occupant of any improved property located within a
developed residential, commercial or industrial part of the
unincorporated area of the county to:
- Permit or allow weeds, noxious growth, brush, or
similar vegetation to grow to a height of two feet or more except
for natural or agricultural uses;
- Permit such growth to a height, which constitutes a
hazard, real or potential, for the harborage of vermin or insects;
- Permit the accumulations of litter, garbage,
rubbish, and/or solid waste, which constitutes a hazard, real or
potential;
- Permit other unsightly or injurious conditions to
such an extent as to create a nuisance or potential health hazard
for adjoining property or the general public.
(D) Unimproved property. It shall be
unlawful for the owner, agent or occupant of any vacant unimproved
property in developed residential, commercial or industrial
unincorporated areas of the county which abut developed property or
public streets on at least two sides to:
- Permit or allow weeds, noxious growth, brush, or
similar vegetation to grow to a height of two feet or more except
for natural or agricultural uses;
- Permit such growth to a height, which constitutes a
hazard, real or potential, for the harborage of vermin or insects;
- Permit the accumulations of litter, garbage,
rubbish, and/or solid waste, which constitutes a hazard, real or
potential;
- Permit other unsightly or injurious conditions to
such an extent as to create a nuisance or potential health hazard
for adjoining property or the general public.
(Ord. 3302, passed 9-3-02)