[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Lancaster 9-11-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-5.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as and shall be cited and referred to as
the "Grass and Weed Ordinance of Lancaster Township."
As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings
so ascribed:
Any of a large family (Gramineae) of monocotyledonous mostly herbaceous
plants with jointed stems, slender sheathing leaves, and flowers borne in
spikelets of bracts.
Any natural person, partnership, association, firm, corporation,
or any other entity organized for any reason whatsoever.
A parcel, plat, lot, or any other portion of land divided into a
discrete unit. The term "premises" shall include both unnatural and natural
objects which are built, standing, growing, or otherwise located or occurring
upon the land which is subject to this definition.
Any plant or vegetation whatsoever which is inedible, poisonous,
or not planted by the owner or occupier of the premises or their predecessors
in interest, specifically for purposes customarily considered ornamental or
agricultural.
Every person owning or occupying any premises within the Township of
Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania ("township"), upon which premises
any grass or weeds shall grow in excess of six inches in height, shall cut
or remove such grass or weeds from the premises or cause the same to be cut
or removed from the premises; provided, however, that on tracts of ground
in excess of 10 acres, grass or grain shall be permitted to grow in excess
of six inches only for the purpose of cutting and harvesting the same for
hay or other agricultural purposes. The owner of the premises, in the case
of vacant premises or premises occupied by the owner thereof, and the occupant
of the premises, in the case of premises occupied by other than the owner
thereof, shall comply with the requirements of this section.
Upon direction of the Board of Supervisors, the Township Code Enforcement Officer shall give written notice, by personal service or by United States First Class Mail, to the owner or occupant of any premises whereon grass or weeds are growing or remaining in violation of the provisions of § 105-3 of this chapter. The written notice shall direct and require the owner or occupant, as the case may be, to cut or remove all grass or weeds so as to conform to the requirements of this chapter, within seven days after giving of the written notice by personal service or by depositing the notice in the United States Mail addressed to the last known residence of the owner or occupant. In case any person shall neglect, fail, or refuse to comply with the written notice within the period of time stated therein, the Board of Supervisors may cause such grass or weeds to be cut or removed, and the cost thereof, together with any penalty authorized by law, may be collected from such person, in the manner provided by law.
Any person who shall neglect, fail or refuse to comply with any provisions
of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof before any District Justice,
be sentenced to pay a fine or penalty of not more than $1,000 and costs of
prosecution, such fine or penalty to be paid over to the township treasury.
In default of payment of such fine or penalty, such person shall be sentenced
and committed to the county jail for a period not exceeding 30 days. Each
day's violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense.
