Title
Ordinance to Amend and Reenact the City Code of the City of Hampton, Virginia by Amending Chapter 24, Offenses, Article I, Pertaining to the Cutting of Grass and Weeds Near Residential or Commercial Structures, In Order to Change the Requisite Height Requirement for Violations
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Community Development staff was tasked by City Council to review ways to strengthen the City's enforcement tools related to various City codes. Among the codes reviewed by staff was the high grass ordinance. The Code of Virginia gives localities the ability to determine the maximum height allowed for high grass within its boundaries. It was determined after review to reduce the requisite maximum height allowed for grass under Hampton City Code from ten (10) inches to eight (8) inches.
Discussion:
Approval of these amendments will strengthen the tools related to high grass enforcement in the City of Hampton in compliance with the Code of Virginia.
Impact:
This proposed amendment would decrease the maximum allowed height for grass in the City of Hampton and allow code inspectors to address properties with high grass sooner than under the current ordinance.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approval of the Ordinance Amendments (no public hearing required)
Body
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, that Chapter 24 of the City Code of the City of Hampton, Virginia be amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 24 - OFFENSES
ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL
Sec. 24-37. - Accumulations of trash, garbage, refuse, litter and other like substances and cutting of grass and weeds near residential or commercial structures.
. . .
(b) It shall be unlawful for the owner of any land, or any occupant or other person who is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of any land, occupied or vacant including the area adjoining such property extending to the curb line or the paved portion of the roadway and or the center line of an abutting alley, to permi...
Click here for full text