EFFECTIVE MAY 15 TO SEPTEMBER 15
“GENERAL NOTICE TO CUT AND REMOVE WEEDS AND/OR GRASS, BRUSH”
EFFECTIVE YEAR ROUND
STORAGE OF UNLICENSED OR ABANDONED VEHICLES
Notice is hereby given, that under Chapter 32 of the Code of the City Of Winona, Minnesota, it is unlawful for any owner, tenant or occupant or agent of any occupied or unoccupied lot or land or any part thereof, to permit or maintain any such lot or land, or on or along the sidewalk, street or alley adjacent to the same between the property line and the curb or middle of the alley or for 10 feet outside the property line if there is no curb, any growth of weeds and/or grass, brush or other rank vegetation to a greater height than six (6) inches on the average or any accumulation of dead weeds, grass or brush which may conceal filthy deposits of garbage and refuse and provide harborage for rodents, provided that in those blocks that are 25% developed or less, weeds, etc., shall be cut at least once during the growing season at the discretion of the weed inspector. It shall be the duty of any owner, tenant or occupant or agent, of any lot or land or any part thereof, to cut and remove or cause to be cut and removed all such weeds and/or grass, brush and rank vegetation as often as may be necessary. Compliance shall be considered as the cutting and removing of such weeds and/or grass, brush and rank vegetation at least once every three weeks, between May 15 and September 15.
Chapter 32 also states the storage of unlicensed or abandoned vehicles, junk automobiles, racing cars and stock cars in the open is prohibited. For the purpose of this section, the term "junk automobiles" shall include any motor vehicle, part of a motor vehicle, or former motor vehicle, stored in the open, which meets any of the following criteria: unusable or inoperable because of lack of, or defects in vital component parts; or unusable or inoperable because of damage from collision, deterioration, or having been partially dismantled; or beyond repair and therefore not intended for future use as a motor vehicle; or being retained on the property for possible use of salvageable parts; or not currently licensed for use on the highways of the State of Minnesota. Failure to comply may result in further action. The term “racing car” shall include any motor vehicle designed or intended for operation on a speedway, racetrack, or other facility used or designed for high-speed contests between vehicles for timing of speed. The term “stock car” shall include any motor vehicle of standard design and construction which is modified, adapted or altered in any manner to increase its speed or safety, and designed or intended for operation on a speedway, racetrack, or other facility used for high-speed contests between vehicles or for timing of speed. This ordinance is in effect year-round.
Upon failure to observe this General Notice and any individual notice served, the City Inspector may proceed pursuant to the law and have the weeds and/or grass, brush or other rank vegetation destroyed by such method and as he finds necessary, the expense of which shall constitute a lien and be entered as a tax against the property and be collected as other real estate taxes are collected, or by other means as provided by law. Any person who shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with the provisions of any individual notice delivered or sent to him or shall resist or obstruct the City Inspector or person or persons hired by him to cut and remove weeds and/or grass, brush and rank vegetation, shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding ninety (90) days. In addition to the cost of removal, the owner will be charged a $100.00 administrative fee.
Scott Sherman, Mayor, City of Winona
Chad Sommer, Building Official, City of Winona
Protective Inspections Department
CITY HALL, 207 LAFAYETTE
WINONA, MINNESOTA 55987
507-457-8231