City of Woodson Terrace, MO Article III Debris On Property

Section 215.110 Debris On Property — Effect of Failure To Remove Nuisance — Penalties.

A. Any lot or land shall be a public nuisance if it has the presence of debris of any kind including, but not limited to, weed cuttings, cut and fallen trees and shrubs, overgrown vegetation and noxious weeds which are seven (7) inches or more in height, rubbish and trash, lumber not piled or stacked twelve (12) inches off the ground, rocks or bricks, tin, steel, parts of derelict cars or trucks, broken furniture, any flammable material which may endanger public safety or any material which is unhealthy or unsafe and declared to be a public nuisance.

B. When a public nuisance as described above exists, the designated City Official shall so declare and give written notice to the owner or owners and if the property is not owner-occupied, to any occupant of the property by personal service, certified first class mail, if otherwise unsuccessful, by publication. Such notice shall, at a minimum:

[Ord. No. 1995, 8-20-2020]

1. Declare that a public nuisance exists;

2. Describe the condition which constitutes such nuisance and identify the action which will remedy such public nuisance;

3. Order the removal or abatement of such condition within ten (10) days from the date of service of such notice;

4. Inform the owner that he or she may file a written request for a hearing before the City's designated official on the question of whether a nuisance exists upon such property; and

5. State that if any owner fails to begin removing the nuisance within the time allowed or upon failure to pursue the removal of such nuisance without unnecessary delay, the City's designated official shall cause the condition which constitutes the nuisance to be removed or abated and that the cost of such removal or abatement may be included in a special tax bill or added to the annual real estate tax bill for the property and collected in the same manner and procedure for collecting real estate taxes.

C. If the owner of such property fails to begin removing the nuisance within the time allowed, or upon failure to pursue the removal of such nuisance without unnecessary delay, the City's designated official shall cause the condition which constitutes the nuisance to be removed. If the City's designated official causes such condition to be removed or abated, the cost of such removal shall be certified to the City Clerk and/or Finance Manager who shall cause the certified cost to be included in a special tax bill or added to the annual real estate tax bill, at the collecting official's option, for the property and the certified cost shall be collected by the City Collector or other official collecting taxes in the same manner and procedure for collecting real estate taxes. If the certified cost is not paid, the tax bill shall be considered delinquent and the collection of the delinquent bill shall be governed by the laws governing delinquent and back taxes. The tax bill from the date of its issuance shall be deemed a personal debt against the owner and shall also be a lien on the property until paid.