Law would target overgrown weeds
KINGSTON, N.Y. » Kingston aldermen are considering a local law that would require property owners to keep their premises free of weeds or plant growth that exceeds 10 inches in height.
During a meeting of the Common Council’s General Government/Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, aldermen advanced a proposed local law whose intent is to make sure the exterior of all city properties are “maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition.” The proposed law states that all exteriors shall be free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches in height and that noxious weeds would be prohibited.
Under the proposal, weeds would be defined as all grasses, annual plants, and vegetation other than trees or shrubs. It would exclude cultivated flowers and gardens.
A property owner found in violation of the proposed law would have seven days to comply. In the event of failure to comply, the city would have the right to hire someone to remedy the problem and bill the property owner for the cost. Unpaid bills would be added to property tax bills.
Deputy Fire Chief Tom Tiano, who heads the city’s Building Safety Division, said the proposed local law is workable. He said the city currently relies on the state code, which provides a property owner with 30 days to comply after being notified of a violation.
Tiano also said if the city council were to adopt a proposed failed inspection fee for his department, it could be used in
these cases, too.
The failed inspection fee would be a progressive fine starting at $250 and growing to $1,000. It would be used when the Building Safety Division must inspect a property following a notice of violation or order to remedy and finds the initial violation has not been corrected.
The proposed local law regarding weeds must go to the full Common Council for consideration. The council must hold two “readings” of the law before it can vote on its adoption. The earliest the council could vote on the matter is September.