Title 8

HEALTH AND SAFETY

 

Chapters:

8.04 Food-Handling Establishments

8.08 Garbage

8.12 Fireworks

8.20 Distribution of Handbills

8.24 Public Nuisance

8.28 Tree Cutting on Private and Public Property

 

Chapter 8.04

FOOD-HANDLING ESTABLISHMENTS

 

Sections:

8.04.010 Definitions.

8.04.020 Certificate——Required.

8.04.030 Certificate——Issuance restrictions--Expiration--Not transferable.

8.04.040 Inspections.

8.04.050 Certificate——suspension or revocation.

8.04.060 Penalty for violation.

 

8.04.010 Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

A. “Employee” means any person working in a food establishment, whether with or without pay, who handles food during any phase of its storage, preparation, manufacture, distribution, serving or display, or who comes in contact with food equipment, utensils or machinery. The owner of a food establishment, if engaged in food handling, is subject to the same requirements as any other person so engaged.

B. “Food” means all articles used for human consumption as food, drink, confectionery or condiment, whether simple or compound.

C. “Food establishment” means any restaurant, including an “itinerant restaurant,” “vehicle” and “vending machine” (as defined in chapter ii, commencing with Section 28520, of Division 11 of the Health and Safety Code of the state of California) , bakery (as defined in Chapter 6, commencing with Section 28190, of Division 21 of the Health and Safety Code of the state of California) , “distributing or storage establishment” (including but not limited to the licensed premises or branch office of a wine grower, brandy manufacturer or wine blender, subject to the provisions of Chapter 7, commencing with Section 28280, of Division 21 of the Health and Safety Code of the state of California) , or a “locker plant” (subject to the provisions of Chapter 12, commencing with Section 28700, of Division 21 of the Health and Safety Code of the state of California), “health facilities” (subject to the provisions of Chapter 2, commencing with Section 1400, and 3, commencing with Section 1500, of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code of the state of California) , or official “meat establishment” (subject to the provisions of the Agricultural Code)

D. “Health officer” means the health officer of Siskiyou County, or his authorized representative.

E. “Person” means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, club, association or organization.

 

8.04.020 Certificate——Required. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any food establishment within the incorporated city without a valid certificate issued by the county health officer or his authorized representative. Such certificate shall be displayed prominently in the place of business for which it is issued.

 

8.04.030 Certificate——Issuance restrictions—-Expiration——Not transferable. A. No certificate to operate a place of business subject to the provisions of this chapter shall be issued until all of the provisions of this chapter and of the California Restaurant Act, and all rules and regulations of the State Board of Public Health, have been complied with. Further, no certificate to operate shall be issued until there is presented to the county health officer satisfactory evidence that all employees of the establishment have had at least minifilm x—rays of the chest within the preceding twelve months and have been found free of any infectious disease in a communicable stage.

B. Such certificates shall expire six months after date of issuance.

C. A certificate is not transferable upon change of ownership of a food establishment.

 

8.04.040 Inspections. Inspections under this chapter shall be based upon provisions of the California Restaurant Act and on rules and regulations of the State Board of Public Health and subsequent modification thereof.

 

8.04.050 Certificate——Suspension or Revocation. A certificate may be suspended by the health officer for violations of any provision of this chapter but not until after the holder has been given an opportunity for a hearing before the health officer. After the hearing a reasonable time shall be allowed by the health officer for correction of the violations. During that correctional period the certificate may be suspended; and the food establishment may be ordered closed during the suspension if the health officer deems such action necessary for the protection of the public health. The suspension shall be lifted if full compliance with sanitary requirements is obtained at the end of the time allowed; if compliance is not obtained, the certificate shall then be revoked.

 

8.04.060 Penalty for violation. Any person who operated a food establishment within the incorporated area of the city without a valid certificate from the county health officer is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each offense may be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

 

Chapter 8.08

GARBAGE

 

Sections:

8.08.010 Definitions.

8.08.020 Compliance required.

8.O8.030 Accumulation of garbage——Receptacles.

8.08.040 Accumulation of rubbish and waste matter——Receptacles.

8.08.050 Collection along lane or road.

8.08.060 Disposal—-Restrictions.

8.08.080 Disposal—-Weekly emptying required.

8.08.090 Scavenger’s permit——Required.

8.08.100 Scavenger’s permit——Issuance.

8.08.110 Scavenger’s permit——Revocation.

8.08.120 Scavenger--Report required.

8.08.130 Collection vehicles--Minimum specifications.

8.08.140 Collection vehicles--Daily cleaning.

8.08.150 Noise restriction--Removal required.

8.08.160 Dropping or spilling prohibited.

8.08.170 Rates.

8.08.180 Scavenger--Imposition of business license fees.

8.08.190 Scavenger--Contract with city.

8.08.200 Enforcement.

8.08.210 Penalty for violation.

 

8.08.010 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter the following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings:

A. “Garbage” consists of dead animal of not more than twenty pounds weight each, and of every accumulation of animal, vegetable and other matter that attends or results from the preparation, consumption, decay or dealing in, or storage of, meats, fish, fowl, birds, fruits or vegetables, or other food products. “Garbage” also includes manure.

B. “Rubbish” consists of woods, leaves, branches, shrub trimmings, chips, shavings, woodenware, printed matter, paper, grass, cloth, straw, hay, leather, felt, plastic and all other combustible matter not included in the definition of garbage.

C. “Scavenger” means any person holding a permit from the city to engage in the occupation of collecting and disposing of garbage, rubbish and waste matter in the city in consideration of the payment to him of the charges for scavenger service, as provided in Section 8.08.170.

D. “Waste matter” consists of bottles, cans, crockery, screenwire, china, glass, glassware, ashes, cinders, shells and all other noncombustible material.

 

8.08.020 Compliance required. It is unlawful for any person in the city to accumulate, remove or dispose of garbage, rubbish or waste matter, as defined in this chapter, except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

 

8.08.030 Accumulation of garbage--Receptacles.  A. It is unlawful for a tenant, lessee or occupant of a private or other dwelling house or building, or mobile home or duplex, or the keeper of a hotel, motel, restaurant, eating house, boardinghouse or other building where meals or food are furnished, or the owner of a furnished flat or apartment house or a mobile home or mobile home park, or any person or place having garbage in the city to fail to provide upon the premises, and at all times to keep and maintain within the building or on the lot on which the building is situated, suitable and sufficient water-tight metal or plastic cans or receptacles with suitable bails or handles, each can having a capacity of not less than ten gallons nor more than ninety-five gallons, each having tight-fitting lids, for receiving and holding without leakage or escape of odors, and without being filled to within four inches or less of the top, all of the garbage which would ordinarily accumulate on the premises in one week’s time. The cans or receptacles shall be located so that the same are readily accessible for removing and emptying the material therein and on collection days, such garbage cans or receptacles be located at the curb, edge of the road or street or a City authorized alley, affording the garbage truck usual reasonable access to the premises, and shall, in any event, be located in an easily accessible location so as not to require the collector or collectors to move such cans or receptacles, when full, from the right-of-way edge to the collection vehicle. Exceptions to this provision for the elderly or handicapped may be arranged upon submission of a written request to the office of the city administrator.

B. Garbage cans or receptacles must be furnished in the minimum number of one per resident family.

C. It shall also be unlawful for any person to fail to place such cans or receptacles so that the bottom thereof will be at least two inches above a well—drained surface, or so that the cans or receptacles are placed entirely beneath the surface of the ground and concrete forms made particularly for such purpose; or to place the same where they will not be a nuisance to any other person or to the public, or to any degree be offensive.

 

8.08.040 Accumulation of rubbish and waste matter--Receptacles.  A. It is unlawful for a tenant, lessee or occupant of a private or other dwelling house or building, or mobile home or duplex, motel, restaurant, eating house, boardinghouse or other building where rubbish or waste matter accumulates in the city, or the owner of a furnished flat, or apartment house or mobile home park, or any person having trash in the city to fail to provide, upon the premises, and at all times to maintain suitable and sufficient enclosed metal or plastic cans or receptacles with suitable bails or handles, each can or receptacle having a capacity of not more than ninety-five gallons, and having tight-fitting lids sufficient to hold the rubbish or waste matter that would ordinarily accumulate on such premises in one week’s time. It shall also be unlawful for any person to fail to place all rubbish or waste matter accumulated on the premises in such cans or place such cans or receptacles so that they are readily accessible for the removal of rubbish or waste matter therein, but on collection days, such cans or receptacles shall be located at the curb, edge of the road or street or a City authorized alley, affording the garbage truck usual reasonable access to the premises, and they shall, in any event, be located so as not to require the collector or collectors to move such cans or receptacles, when full, from the right-of-way edge to the collection vehicle.  Exceptions to this provision for the elderly or handicapped may be arranged upon submission of a written request to the office of the city administrator.

B. Rubbish or waste matter not easily placed in containers must be neatly tied in bundles with a maximum length of three feet and a maximum diameter of two feet. Residential rubbish or garbage may be combined in the same receptacles.

C. Commercial or industrial rubbish and waste matter produced in large quantities may be stored for collection in larger enclosed metal or wooden receptacles and be equipped with suitable lids or covers.

D. Rubbish and waste matter, as defined in this chapter, shall not be placed, disposed of or otherwise accumulated and commingled in the same receptacles.

 

8.08.050 Collection along lane or road. Any person, firm or corporation maintaining a home, place of business or industrial establishment, access whereto is had by a private lane or roadway reasonably sufficient for the safe passage of the garbage collector’s truck, may keep and locate the garbage cans or receptacles provided for in Sections 8.08.030 and 8.08.040 at an easily accessible location at the edge of such lane or road, but shall pay, in addition to all other rates and charges payable for garbage collection service, a rate or charge to be fixed by resolution of the city council.

 

8.08.060 Disposal——Restrictions. A. It is unlawful for any person to dispose of any garbage, rubbish or waste matter originating in the city, other than at a disposal area designated by the city council, excepting that the same may be placed in receptacles as provided by Section 8.08.030 and 8.04.040, provided that the same are emptied and the contents thereof removed and disposed of when filled within four inches of the top and, in any event, at least once a week as provided by Section 8.08.080.

B. No garbage, rubbish or waste matter shall be disposed of in unincorporated territory within four hundred yards of the corporate limits of the city, except at the designated dump site.

C. The city council shall be the judge of the sufficiency and sanitary condition of all garbage, rubbish and waste-matter containers.

 

8.08.070 (repealed).

 

8.08.080 Disposal——Weekly emptying required. It is unlawful in the city for a person not to have each and every can, box, barrel or other receptacle used for the accumulation of garbage, rubbish or waste matter emptied and the contents thereof removed from the premises and disposed of, as provided in this chapter, when any of the receptacles are filled to within four inches of the top and, in any event, it is unlawful for a person not to have each and all of the receptacles emptied and the contents thereof so removed and disposed of at least once each week.

 

8.08.090 Scavenger’s permit——Required. It shall be the duty of every scavenger in the city to first obtain a permit from the city as provided in Section 8.08.100, authorizing such scavenger to engage in the occupation of a scavenger in the city.

 

8.08.100 Scavenger’s permit——Issuance. The city council is authorized to issue a permit, upon proper application therefor, to any person applying for permission to engage in the occupation of a scavenger in the city.

 

Application blanks for such permit shall be made available in the office of the city clerk.

 

The city council shall have the authority to approve or reject any application for such permit, and shall have the further authority to limit the number of such permits issued to such number as the city council, in exercise of its discretion, deems necessary.

 

8.08.110 Scavenger’s permit--Revocation. The permit of any scavenger may be revoked for persistent and repeated failure on his part to properly collect garbage, rubbish and waste matter, or for charging for the collection of the same in excess of the rates fixed by the city council. It shall be unlawful for any scavenger whose permit has been revoked to collect garbage, rubbish and waste matter within the city, provided that no permit shall be revoked except upon a hearing before the city council, upon three days’ previous notice in writing given to such scavenger.

 

8.08.120 Scavenger——Report required. It shall be the duty of every scavenger to make an affidavit upon the first day of January, April, July and October of each year as to the number of customers being served by him within the city, and to file such affidavit on those dates with the city clerk.

 

8.08.130 Collection vehicles——Minimum specifications. It shall be unlawful for any scavenger to use any truck or other vehicle for the removal and transportation of any garbage, rubbish or waste matter from any premises within the city unless the same first has been approved by the city council and conforms to the following minimum specifications:

A. Collection vehicles may be of two types:

  1. Enclosed or covered body trucks,

  2. Packer or mechanical compaction type trucks, of a type approved by the city council, excepting that, two years from July 1, 1961, only packer or compaction type collection vehicles will be acceptable to the city, and open body trucks may be used for bulky material, large objects or material impossible to collect with a packer or mechanical compaction unit.

B. Each collection vehicle must be painted such color as is designated by resolution of the city council or by contract entered into with the city upon authorization of the city council.

C. Each collection vehicle must be maintained in a clean, sanitary, well painted and mechanically safe condition. It shall be inspected twice yearly without prior notice by authorized representatives of the city council.

D. The portion of each collection vehicle in which garbage, rubbish or waste matter is placed for transportation shall be constructed in such manner that the same shall be water—tight so that no leakage or odor can escape therefrom. Doors to such vehicle bodies shall be kept closed at all times except when garbage, rubbish or waste matter is actually being loaded or unloaded.

 

8.08.140 Collection vehicles——Daily cleaning. It shall be unlawful for any scavenger to use any vehicle on the streets of the city for the purpose of collecting and transporting garbage, rubbish and waste matter unless the same has been cleansed once daily after the completion of each day’s haul by scraping the interior and washing the same with water so as to be reasonably clean and give forth no noisome odors. The condition of each such vehicle shall at all times be subject to inspection and approval by representatives of the city council.

 

8.08.150 Noise restriction-—Removal required.  A. It shall be unlawful for any scavenger or garbage collector to empty or remove the contents of such cans or receptacles as are used for the accumulation of garbage, rubbish or waste matter in such manner as will create unnecessary noise in any residential area or from any motel or hotel before four a.m.

B. All garbage, rubbish and waste matter shall be removed from the cans or receptacles used for the accumulation of the same and from the premises on which the same are located in the manner provided by Section 8.08.130.

 

3.08.160 Dropping or spilling prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any scavenger to allow any garbage, rubbish and waste matter to spill, drop, fall or remain on the ground or any other place.

 

3.08.170 Rates. The city council, from time to time, shall establish by resolution the maximum rates or charges that may be charged by scavengers for the collection of garbage, rubbish and waste matter within the city. The current schedules of rates so fixed by the city council shall be at all times on file in the office of the city clerk, and a copy thereof shall be available to each scavenger. It shall be unlawful for any scavenger to charge a rate in excess of that so fixed by the city council.

 

8.08.180 Scavenger——Imposition of business license fees. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the city council from imposing a business license fee on scavengers, or to receive such scavengers from the payment of such fees which the city council may impose from time to time for revenue or regulation purposes.

 

8.08.190 Scavenger-—Contract with city. A. The city council is authorized to enter into a contract on behalf of the city with one or more persons, firms or corporations for the collection of all garbage, rubbish and waste matter in the city upon such terms and conditions as the council determines will be for the best interest of the city.

B. In the event such contract is let, it shall he unlawful for any person, firm or corporation other than persons in the employ of such contractor, or contractors, to collect for pay, or other consideration, any garbage, rubbish and waste matter within the city, except that any firm or corporation producing not less than fifty gallons per week of clean garbage suitable for hoqs or other domestic animals may contract for the removal of such garbage outside the city; provided, further, that the same shall all be done upon a permit issued by the chief administrative officer of the city after determining that the applicant is properly equipped to remove such garbage.

C. Such contractor, in addition to meeting all the other requirements of this chapter, shall agree to, and such contract shall require, that he do the following:

  1. Prepare and submit to the city administrator, for approval, collection and disposal routes and schedules showing the days of collection of each route;

  2. Require all employees to wear uniforms of a type and color approved by the city and require such employees to maintain the same in a good state of repair and a clean condition;

  3. To employ only personnel approved by the city and to dismiss the employee who violates the conditions of this chapter or is negligent and discourteous to the performance of his duties when requested to perform such duties by the city administrator;

  4. To collect garbage and rubbish not less than one day a week from all commercial establishments dealing with meat, fish, game or vegetables, and not less often than two days a week from any hotel, restaurant or hospital and from such other place as the city administrator may order in writing.

D. Notwithstanding anything contained in this section to the contrary, any individual shall have the right to remove or haul or dispose of garbage, rubbish and waste matter produced or accumulated upon premises owned by such individual or in such individual’s possession, but such individual must nevertheless pay, in any event, the regular monthly fixed charge set by the city council for scavenger service, whether such service is used or not used.

 

The monthly fixed charge for scavenger service set by the city council, at the will of the city council, for good cause shown, may be waived for public and quasi—public agencies. The council, in waiving such fees, may impose reasonable conditions in conjunction therewith, and such waiver, at the will of the city council, may be revoked at any time. Such request for waiver shall be in writing to the city council and shall be considered at a regularly scheduled meeting of the city council.

 

8.08.200 Enforcement. It shall be the duty of the city administrator to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

 

8.08.210 Penalty for violation. Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of an infraction. Every violation is punishable by a fine not exceeding twenty—five dollars for a first violation; a fine not exceeding fifty dollars for a second violation of the same section within one year; and a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for each additional violation of the same section within one year.

 

Chapter 8.12

FIREWOKKS

 

Sections:

8.12.010 Definitions

8.12.020 Prohibition/Permits

8.12.030 Review of Permit Application(s).

8.12.040 Permit Regulations/Conditions.

8.12.050 Fireworks Stands.

 

8.12.010 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter the following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings:

A. “Fireworks” means blank cartridges, toy pistols, toy cannons, toy canes, or toy guns in which explosives are used, fire balloons (i.e., balloons of a type which have burning material of any kind attached thereto or which require fire underneath said balloon to propel said balloon), firecrackers, torpedoes, sky rockets, Roman candles, Daygo bombs, sparklers, or any other item or thing like construction, and any other item or thing containing any combustible or explosive substance for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation, but does not include pistols, toy canes, toy guns, or other similar devices (i.e., “cap guns”) in which paper caps containing not more than twenty—five hundredths (.25) grain of explosive compound per cap are used.

B. “Dangerous fireworks” means every fireworks article that does not bear the “safe and sane” classification label of the State Fire Marshal.

C. “Safe and sane fire works” shall include only those fireworks articles that have been classified and registered as “safe and sane” by the State Fire Marshal.

 

8.12.020 Prohibition—Permits. A. Possession or Storage of Dangerous Fireworks Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to sell, possess, keep or store or permit the keeping or storing of any dangerous fireworks.

B. Fireworks Permit—When Required. No person, without having a valid fireworks permit issued by the city pursuant to this section shall do any of the following:

  1. Import, export, possess for the purpose of sale, offer for sale or sell any fireworks for any purpose including agricultural purposes or wild life control.

  2. Make a public display of fireworks in any place.

  3. Transport fireworks, except in accordance with the State Fireworks Law.

C. Issuance of Fireworks Permit—Requirements. A fireworks permit shall be issued only to such applicants, who meet both the following qualifications:

  1. A non profit, charitable, religious or eleemosynary corporation or association organized and existing primarily for charitable or civic betterment purposes in conjunction with youth—oriented activities; and

  2. Said corporation or association has its principal and permanent meeting place in the city and has been organized and established in the city for a period of at least two years prior to the date application is made for a fireworks permit.

D. Application for Fireworks Permit.

  1. Fee. Any person desiring to sell “safe and sane” fireworks shall make application to the city clerk for a fireworks permit. Each applicant shall pay to the city clerk a fee of one hundred dollars at the time of filing an application. In the event no fireworks permit is issued by the city, the city clerk shall refund the applicants fee.

  2. Information Required. Each applicant for such permit shall file his application with the city clerk. Each application shall show the following:

    a. Name and address of applicant.

    b. The applicant’s status as a non profit, charitable, religious or eleemosynary corporation or association.

    c. The purpose for which the applicant is primarily existing and for which it was organized, and its relationship to youth activities in the city of Weed.

    d. The name and addresses of the officers, if any, of the applicant.

    e. The location of the applicant’s principal and permanent meeting place.

    f. When and how the applicant will sell fireworks.

    g. The location of the applicant’s principal and permanent meeting place.

    h. The name, address, and State Fire Marshal’s license number of any wholesaler or distributor from whom the retailer proposes to purchase fireworks for resale, if known.

    i. The applicant’s State Board of Equalization Sales Tax permit number.

    j. The manner, method and times, when and how the applicant proposes to sell “safe and sane” fireworks.

    k. Such other information as the city administrator may require to make his/her investigation into the property of granting said proposed permit.

    l. Appropriate information regarding insurance coverage as articulated in Section 8.12.040 D.

F. Investigation of Application. The city administrator, or his/her designee, shall cause an investigation to be made of each application and shall submit a report of his/her findings an recommendations for or against the issuance of a permit, together with its reasons therefore, to the city council.

 

8.12.030 Review of permit application(s). A. The city council shall have the discretion to grant or deny any application, subject to such reasonable conditions, if any, as it shall prescribe.

B. The number of fireworks permits issued each year pursuant to this section shall be limited to two such permits. Any successful applicant may be required to share the rights granted by any such permit with another applicant. The limited number of applicants is intended to coincide with a limit to the number of fireworks stands permitted in any one season, such limit being two stands, one situated in a northern location within the city, and one situated in a southern location. The method and manner of selecting those applicants who shall be issued fireworks permits shall be in the method or manner that the city council in its discretion shall determine is reasonable or necessary (i.e., lottery system, or rotation system). Any applicant wishing to appeal the denial of any permit application shall make such appeal to the city council.

C. The provisions of paragraph B above shall not be applied so as to deny the issuance of a fireworks permit to any applicant who received a valid fireworks permit. However, any permit issued pursuant to the exception granted by this paragraph C shall be counted in computing the number of permits issuable pursuant to the provisions of paragraph B.

 

8.12.040 Permit regulations   Conditions. A. Permit Regulations. Only one permit shall be issued to any applicant, and said permit shall be valid only for the premises or location for which issued. No permit shall be transferable, assignable or renewable.

B. Time for Filing of Application. Each application for a permit to sell “safe and sane” fireworks at retail shall be filed with the city clerk on or before February 1 of the calendar year for which the permit is sought.

C. Permit Authorizes the Sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks Only. A fireworks permit issued pursuant to this section authorizes only the sale at retail of “safe and sane” fireworks by the applicant at the location or premises designated in the permit.

D. Policy of Public Liability Insurance Reguired. Each applicant for a fireworks permit shall have filed with the city clerk prior to the issuance of any permit a policy of public liability insurance with coverage of at least one million dollars combined single limit coverage or a certificate showing said amount of insurance. Each policy shall contain a rider and/or “additional insured endorsement” therein listing and carrying the city of Weed as an additional assured under said policy.

E. Hours of Sales Regulated. No “safe and sane” fireworks shall be sold or offered for sale except from noon on June 28th to noon on July 6th of each year

F. Days when Fireworks may be Discharged. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to discharge any fireworks in any area of the city on any days except the thirty first of December, first of January and the third, fourth and fifth of July each year, unless authorized in writing by city council.

G. Compliance with State Laws Required. It shall be the duty of every person issued a fireworks permit to comply with all the provisions of the State Fireworks Law and the Rules and Regulations of the State Fire Marshal. The violation of the aforesaid State Fireworks Law or Rules and Regulations or any of the provisions of this section by the permittee, or any of its agents, employees, or officers shall constitute cause, in and of itself, to deny any subsequent application for a permit.

 

8.12.050 Fireworks stands. All retail “safe and sane” fireworks shall be permitted only from within a temporary fireworks stand, and the sale from any other building or structure is hereby prohibited.

 

Temporary stands shall be subject to the following provisions:

A. No fireworks stand shall be located within twenty-five feet of any other building nor within three hundred feet of any gasoline station.

B. All stands shall meet the structural stability requirements of the building ordinance of the city, and all lighting circuits and other electrical equipment shall meet the requirements of the electrical ordinance of the city.

C. No stand shall have a floor area in excess of seven hundred fifty square feet.

D. Stands shall have exit doors at least thirty inches in width at both ends of the structure and one additional door for each twenty—five feet of rear wall in excess of twenty—five feet. All doors shall open outward from the stand and all doorways shall be kept free and clear from all supplies and materials at all times.

E. Each stand shall be provided two and one half gallon “soda and acid” type fire extinguishers, in good working order and easily accessible for use in case of fire. For every twenty—five feet of rear wall there shall be also a three gallon water bucket filled with water and containing immersed therein a gunnysack.

F. There shall be at least one salesperson, eighteen years of age or older, on duty at all times. No person under the age of eighteen shall be allowed to sell, or handle for sale, any fireworks. No person under fourteen years of age shall be allowed inside the stand at any time.

G. No person employed as a watchman shall be permitted to remain inside of any stand when it is not open for business.

H. “NO SMOKING” signs shall be prominently displayed, both inside and outside the stand. No smoking shall be permitted within the stand or within fifteen feet of the stand.

I. No stand shall be erected before June 15 of any year. The premises on which the stand is erected shall be cleared of all structures and debris not later than noon of July 8.

J. No fireworks shall be discharged in or within twenty—five feet of any fireworks stands.

K. No person shall allow any rubbish to accumulate in or around any fireworks stand or permit a fire nuisance to exist.

L. No fireworks shall remain unattended at any time regardless of whether the fireworks stand is open for business or not. If any fireworks are stored they shall only be stored at such places as are approved for storage of fireworks by the State Wire Marshal.

M. Only one fireworks stand shall be permitted on any one parcel of land except that if said parcel of land is eighty thousand square feet or more in size, then in that event one fireworks stand for every thousand square feet of land in said parcel may be permitted. However, in no event shall more than three fireworks stands be permitted as to any one parcel of land.

N. Any person who receives a notice to correct any violation of these regulations or any other condition of the permit, and who fails to correct such violation within the time prescribed in the notice, may be assessed a fee not exceeding the city’s cost of re—inspection.

O. All weeds and combustible material shall be cleared from the location of the stand, including a distance of at least twenty feet surrounding the stand.

 

Chapter 8.20

 

DISTRIBUTION OF HANDBILLS

 

 

Sections:

8.20.010 Purpose and intent.

8.20.020 Obedience to signs.

8.20.030 Obedience to refusal of consent filed with city clerk.

8.20.040 Obedience to notice.

8.20.050 Method of distribution.

8.20.060 Littering.

8.20.070 Aiding and abetting prohibited.

8.20.080 Exemptions.

8.20.090 Use of receptacles provided for the receipt of United States mail.

 

8.20.010 Purpose and intent. The city council finds, determines and declares that:

A. Consent. The practice of distributing, castinq, throwing, and otherwise placing, newspapers, magazines, handbills, and other papers on private residential property against the express wishes of the owner, or of an adult occupant, thereof, or of a person authorized by such owner or occupant to deny such consent, creates a serious police problem and a threat to the public safety and welfare in that, against the wishes of the owner or occupant, such property will be cluttered with an accumulation of such material and the absence of the owner or occupant will be inadvertently advertised to persons of dissolute or criminal propensities and the probability of criminal activities on such property will be increased so that more intensified police patrolling of such property will then be necessary, all of which is detrimental to the peace, safety and welfare of the public.

B. Vehicles and Public Places. The practice of distributing and depositing, placing, throwing, scattering and casting newspapers, magazines, handbills and other papers in or upon motor vehicles and in and upon the public street and in public places, except to persons who are willing to receive the same, creates a serious police problem and a threat to the public safety in that such material is permitted to fall, and is thrown, upon parking areas, public streets and public places and is blown about and accumulates as trash and creates fire hazards and an unsightly condition and requires extra expense to remove such trash.

C. Aiding and Abetting. The practice of causing and permitting the practices outlined in subsections A and B above by employees, agents and contractors creates Serious problems and threats to the public safety and welfare in that such causing and permitting of the said practices provides the inducement and consideration for the continuance thereof and constitute the source thereof.

D. Need of Law. The public interest, convenience and necessity require the removal of, and this chapter is enacted to remove, said police problems and threats to the public health, safety and welfare and require the protection of, and this chapter is enacted to protect the People against the nuisance of, and incident to, the promiscuous distribution of newspapers, magazines, handbills, and circulars on private residential property, on vehicles and in public places.

 

8.20.020 Obedience to signs. It is unlawful for any person to distribute, cast, throw, scatter, deposit or otherwise place any newspaper, magazine, handbill, pamphlet, circular, dodger, announcement, or any other paper, for which no charge is made to the recipient thereof pursuant to contract, and which is not a discarded, used, or leftover substance, at any place on the grounds, yards, lawns, driveways, steps, porches, or in front of, or upon the front entry door or doorknob of any single—family residential building, or of any residential building having more than one dwelling unit, or in any entry or hallway or on any stairs, or at or upon the front entry door or doorknob of any dwelling unit in any such multiple unit residential building, in the city, at any time there is a rectangular sign of any overall dimension Of not less than two inches by four inches affixed on the outside and within one foot of the front entry door, of any such building, or in the case of a dwelling unit in such a multiple unit residential building, within two inches of the front entry door of such dwelling unit, containing the words “No Circulars,” “No Handbills,” “No Papers,” or any other words, in letters no less than three—eighths of an inch wide and one—half of an inch high, indicating that the owner, manager or occupant of such dwelling unit or building desires to have no such newspapers, magazines, handbills, pamphlets, circulars, dodgers, announcements, or other papers, left upon such premises. Such a sign on such a multiple unit residential building shall not apply to the front entry door of any dwellin9 unit in such a building. Such a sign at the front entry door of any dwelling unit in such a building shall apply only to the dwelling unit thereof at which such a sign is affixed. Such signs are permitted notwithstanding, and without compliance with, any other provision of the Weed Municipal Code. Any such sign larger than three inches by six inches is prohibited.

 

8.20.030 Obedience to refusal of consent filed with city clerk. It is unlawful for any person to distribute cast, throw, scatter, deposit or otherwise place any newspaper, magazine, handbill pamphlet, circular, dodger, announcement, or any other paper, for which no charge is made to the recipient thereof pursuant to contract, and which is not a discarded, used, or leftover substance, at any place on the grounds, yards, lawns, driveways, steps, porches, or in front of, or upon the front entry door, or doorknob of any single—family residential building, or of any residential building having more than one dwelling unit, or in any entry or hallway or on any stairs, or at, or upon the front entry door, or doorknob of any dwelling unit, in any such multiple unit residential building, in the city, at any time there is on file in the office of the city clerk an affidavit or a declaration under penalty of perjury that the person subscribing the same is an owner, manager or occupant of such building or dwelling unit described therein and stating that such person refuses consent for any of said items to be left at the place so described. Such an affidavit or declaration may be filed with the city clerk without charge at any time and upon the filing thereof the same shall be open to inspection by the public and effective at midnight of the day after such filing. It may be revoked by filing with the city clerk a written statement signed by such person or by an affidavit or declaration under the penalty of perjury that such person is no longer an owner, manager, or occupant of the building or dwelling unit described therein. Such revocation may be filed with the city clerk at any time without charge and shall be effective upon such filing. Any such refusal of consent filed with the signature of an owner or manager of, and any such revocation pertaining to, such a multiple unit residential building shall not apply to the front entry door of any dwelling unit in such a building. Any such refusal of consent filed with the signature of an owner or occupant of, and any such revocation pertaining to, a dwelling unit in such a building shall apply only to the dwelling unit owned or occupied by such person or to which such revocation pertains. No such refusal of consent shall be effective after the person who signed it has ceased to be an owner, manager or occupant of the premises described in such refusal of consent. No person shall leave any such an item at any such a place in the city, unless such person has examined within twenty—four hours prior thereto all refusals of consent filed-with the city clerk.

 

8.20.040 Obedience to notice. It is unlawful for any person to distribute, cast, throw, scatter, deposit, or otherwise place any newspaper, magazine, handbill, pamphlet, circular, dodger, announcement, or any other paper, not a discarded, used or leftover substance, at any place on the grounds, yards, lawns, driveways, steps, porches, or in front of, or upon the front entry door or doorknob of any single—family residential building, or of any residential building having more than one dwelling unit, or in any entry or hallway, or on any stairs, or at, or upon the front entry door, or doorknob of any dwelling unit in any such multiple unit residential building, in the city, after having received a notice orally or in writing that an owner, manager or occupant of such property or dwelling unit refuses to consent that any such item be left upon such property or at such dwelling unit. Any such a notice given by an owner or manager of such a multiple unit residential building shall not apply to the front entry door of any dwelling unit in such a building. Any such a notice given by an owner or occupant of a dwelling unit in such a building shall apply only to the dwelling unit owned or occupied by such person. No such notice shall be effective after the person who gave it has ceased to be an owner, manager or occupant of the premises for which such notice was given.

 

8.20.050 Method of distribution. Any newspaper, magazine, handbill, pamphlet, circular, dodger, announcement, or any other paper, for which no charge is made to the recipient thereof pursuant to contract, and which is not a discarded, used, or leftover substance, which may be distributed pursuant to this chapter, shall be placed into the hand of the intended recipient, or placed through a slot or opening in a front entry door, or within a receptacle for such items located upon the property. As used in this chapter, the word “receptacle” means a container made of a stiff material displaying the words “For Papers’ or similar words.

 

8.20.060 Littering. It is unlawful for any person to cast, throw, scatter, deposit, or otherwise place, any newspaper, magazine, handbill, pamphlet, circular, dodger, announcement, or any other paper, for which no charge is made to the recipient thereof pursuant to contract, and which is not a discarded, used, or leftover substance, upon the ground or other surface of any public street or sidewalk, or upon any ground or grass between any street and any sidewalk, or upon the ground of any vacant land, or park in the city, or upon the ground, lawn, floor, cement, or other surface, of any parking lot, steps, porch, vestibule, foyer, ball, waiting room, or rest room of any building, in the city, owned, or in the possession of the city, or any other governmental entity, or of any railroad station, bus depot, store, food market, drugstore, office building, or other building, parking lot, or place in the city, into, or upon, which the public is admitted by easement or license, without the payment of an entry fee or charge. No portion of this section shall be construed to restrict a private owner in the use of his own property or a person in lawful possession of property from his own use thereof.

 

8.20.070 Aiding and abetting prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to enter into any conspiracy or into any employment, advertising, or other contract, which promotes the performance in the city of any act or thing prohibited or declared unlawful, by this chapter, or that can reasonably be anticipated to result in the performance in the city of any act or thing prohibited or declared unlawful by this chapter, or that can reasonably be anticipated to result in the performance in the city of any such act or thing or to enter into any contract with any person for such person to distribute, cast, throw, scatter, deposit, or otherwise place, any newspaper, magazine, handbill, pamphlet, circular, dodger, announcement, or any other paper, for which no charge is made to the recipient thereof pursuant to contract, and which is not a discarded, used, or leftover substance, on any single—family or multiple unit residential property in the city, unless the person contracting to leave any such item at any such place acknowledges in writing that he has received and read a copy of this chapter or as hereafter amended by any ordinance, and such writing is kept and held subject to inspection by the public for one year by the other party to such a contract and exhibited to any police officer upon request.

 

8.20.080 Exemptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the distribution of mail by the United States Government or to any notice of any lien, foreclosure, or sale of the real property on which such notice is placed, or to any governmental or court notice or process or to any telephone directory or to the distribution or delivery of any newspaper determined to be a newspaper of general circulation by a decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, magazine, pamphlet, or other paper, to any person pursuant to his oral or written order or consent therefor, or to any hotel, inn, motel or other such public residential premises, or to any littering inside a theater, or to any circus or tent show or to any place .where food is sold for immediate consumption at open—air tables or on the parking lot of any such eating places.

 

8.20.090 Use of receptacles provided for the receipt of United Staves mail. Nothing contained in this chapter shall authorize any use of, or the distribution of any matter without postage prepaid thereon into any mailbox, any attachment to a mailbox, or any other receptacle or into or through any slot in any door, which has been provided for the receipt or deposit therein, or the delivery through any such slot, of mail by the United States Postal Service and which is prohibited by any rule, regulation or law; of the United States, or of the Postal Service, to be used for any purpose other than for the receipt of mail.

 

Chapter 8.24

PUBLIC NUISANCE

 

 

Sections:

8.24.010 Acts constituting nuisance.

8.24.020 Public nuisance defined

8.24.030 Waste matter defined.

8.24.040 Notice to abate.

8.24.050 Failure to abate nuisance——Infractions.

8.24.060 Failure to abate nuisance——Notice to show cause.

8.24.070 Council hearing.

8.24.080 Right to abate.

8.24.090 Collection of costs of abatement.

8.24.100 Manner of giving notices.

8.24.110 Separability.

 

8.24.010 Acts constituting nuisance. Anything which is injurious to health, or is indecent or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property or unlawfully obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner of any public park, street, alleyway, highway, or other public easement is a nuisance.

 

8.24.020 Public nuisance defined. A public nuisance is one which affects at the same time an entire community or neighborhood, or any considerable number of persons, although the extent of the annoyance or damage inflicted upon individuals may be unequal. The following are specifically declared to be nuisances and it is not intended by this enumeration to exclude the designation of other conditions as nuisances.

A. Existence of rubbish, tin cans or waste matter of any type, upon any sidewalk or vacant lot within the city;

B. Substantial accumulation of rubbish, tin cans or waste matter of any type, including manure of any kind, offensive to any of the senses on private property within the city;

C. Automobile motors, transmissions and all other automotive parts or accessories stored anywhere other than within a fully enclosed space, carport, garage (public or private) or an approved automobile wrecking yard;

D. Any animal or fowl which shall die within the city;

E. Accumulations of wastepaper, hay, grass, straw, weeds, litter, combustible or flammable waste material, waste petroleum products or rubbish of any kind upon any roof or in any court, yard, vacant lot or open space. All weeds, grass, vines or other growth, when same endangers property or constitutes a fire hazard;

F. All combustible rubbish, oily rags or waste material, when kept within a building or adjacent to a building, and not securely stored in metal or metal—lined receptacles equipped with tight—fitting covers or in rooms or vaults constructed of noncombustible materials;

G. Combustible waste matter beneath trailers or at any other place within an auto and trailer camp;

H. Abandoned, discarded or unused objects or equipment such as furniture, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, cans or containers;

I. Any device, decoration, design, fence, structure, clothesline or vegetation which is unsightly by reason of its condition or its inappropriate location;

J. Maintaining property in such manner as to cause a hazard to public by obscuring visibility of intersections.

K. Maintaining Blighted Property.

  1. Any property on which there exists any one or more of the following conditions or activities is a blighted property for the purposes of this chapter:

    a. A building or structure that is not being inhabited, occupied or unsecured when the public can gain unimpeded or undeterred entry without the consent of the owner. This subsection also includes any vacant building, or unit in a vacant building or structure, which is unoccupied, including, without limitation, buildings or structures of any nature intended for human habitation or occupation and includes manufactured housing or mobile homes.

      (i) A building or structure, or unit in a building or structure, is not deemed to be vacant for purposes of this chapter if construction or alteration of the building, structure or unit is in progress pursuant to a valid, unexpired building permit.

    b. A partially constructed, reconstructed or demolished building or structure upon which work is abandoned.

    c. Property which is in an unsecured state so as to potentially constitute an attraction to children, a harbor for vagrants, criminals or other unauthorized persons, or so as to enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing a nuisance or unlawful act.

    d. Exterior wall and/or roof coverings that have become deteriorated and do not provide adequate weather protection, resulting in termite infestation and/or dry rot.

    e. Broken or missing windows or doors which constitute a hazardous condition or a potential attraction to trespassers.

    f. Building exteriors, walls, fences, and retaining walls which are broken, deteriorated, or substantially defaced to the extent that the disrepair visually impacts neighboring property or presents an endangerment to public safety; driveways or walkways which are broken, deteriorated, or substantially defaced to the extent that the disrepair presents an endangerment to the public safety. For purposes of this subsection, defacing includes, without limitation, writings, inscriptions, figures, scratches or other markings commonly referred to as “graffiti”.

    g. Building exteriors, walls, fences, or retaining walls on which any painted surface is peeling, disintegrating, or sloughing—off to the extent that the disrepair visually impacts neighboring property or presents an endangerment to public safety.

    h. Overgrown, diseased, dead or decayed trees, weeds or other vegetation which:

      (i) Constitute a fire hazard or a condition considered dangerous to the public health, safety, and general welfare; or

      (ii) Are likely to harbor rats, vermin and other nuisances; or

      (iii) Detract from the property values of neighboring properties.

    i. Landscaping that is not installed or maintained in accordance with any applicable code or permit.

    j. Solid waste, which by reason of its location and character either detrimentally impacts the surrounding neighborhood or community, or which is allowed or permitted to be transported by wind or otherwise onto or upon a public street, alley, or sidewalk. For purposes of this subsection, solid waste means any putrescible and non—putrescible solid and semisolid waste material including without limitation garbage, rubbish, demolition and construction wastes, industrial wastes, reusable or recyclable material, bulky goods, and other discarded solid and semisolid wastes.

    k. Substantial accumulation of dirt, litter, or debris in vestibules or doorways of residential, commercial or industrial buildings.

    l. Any swimming pool, pond or other body of water that is abandoned, unattended, unfiltered, or not otherwise maintained, resulting in the water becoming polluted water. For purposes of this subsection, “polluted water” means water means water which contains bacterial growth, including algae, remains of rubbish, refuse, debris, papers, and any other foreign matter or material or deleterious substance which, because of its nature or location, constitutes an unhealthy or unsafe conditions or water which is defined as “polluted water” or other similar term under state or federal law.

    m. Land having a topography, geology, or configuration that, as a result of grading operations or improvements to said land, causes erosion, subsidence, unstable soil conditions, or surface or subsurface drainage problems so as to pose a threat to or be injurious to adjacent properties.

    n. Any condition or object maintained on private property that obscures the visibility to the public of public streets or public street intersections to such a degree as to constitute a hazard. Such conditions include without limitation vehicles, landscaping, fencing, and signs.

    o. Conditions that due to their accessibility to the public may prove hazardous or dangerous including without limitation:

      (i) Unused or broken equipment;

      (ii) Abandoned wells, shafts, or basements;

      (iii) Hazardous or unprotected pools, ponds, or excavations;

      (iv) Structurally unsound fences, walls, or structures;

      (v) Machinery that is inadequately secured or protected;

      (vi) Lumber, trash, fences, solid waste, or debris that may prove a hazard for the public. For purposes of this subsection, solid waste is defined as set forth in subsection j of this section;

      (vii) Storing or keeping any chemicals, gasoline, motor oil, or other substances, in a quantity exceeding typical residential household usage, which may prove a hazard to the public.

    p. Signs which have not been maintained or are in a state of disrepair for a period of more than thirty days, including without limitation, broken signs, signs with missing parts, panels, letters or light bulbs, signs with exposed wiring, signs out of plumb, signs that are unsafe, dangerous to the public, or a hazard to traffic, defaced signs (for purposes of this subsection, defacing includes without limitation, unauthorized, unrelated or offensive writing, inscriptions, figures, scratches, or other markings commonly known as graffiti.)

    q. Any airplane or other aircraft, or any parts thereof in the front yard. Airplane or other aircraft, or any parts thereof, may be stored in the side of back yards if such items are concealed by a fence.

    r. Any construction equipment, machinery, vehicles, or material except as follows:

      (i) Such items may be temporarily kept within or upon the property for and during the time such equipment, machinery, or materials are required for the construction or installation of improvements or facilities on the property for which all required permits have been obtained and are valid.

      (ii) Such items may be kept in the side yard or rear yard areas if such items are used for the maintenance of the property or facilities on the property and if such items are concealed by a fence, shrubbery, or other similar means.

    s. Any commercial equipment, machinery, vehicles, or material not authorized by a valid city permit when such items constitute visual blight, reduce the aesthetic appearance of the neighborhood, or are detrimental to nearby property values. Commercial equipment, machinery, vehicles, or material not otherwise authorized by a valid city permit may be kept in the side yard or rear yard areas if such items are used for the maintenance of the property or facilities on the property and if such items are concealed by a fence, shrubbery, or other similar means.

    t. Any refrigerator, washing machine, sink, stove, heater, boiler, tank or other household equipment, machinery, furniture, appliance or appliances, or any parts of any of the listed items, for a period of time in excess of seventy—two consecutive hours. For purposes of this subsection, an item is unlawfully kept or stored in any area for a period of time in excess of seventy—two consecutive hours when either the item has not been removed from such area for an intervening period of time in excess of seventy—two consecutive hours or the item has been parked, kept, or stored during the intervening period of time upon any public street. This subsection does not prohibit the following:

      (i) Machinery installed in the rear setback areas for household or recreational use.

      (ii) Furniture designed and used for outdoor activities.

      (iii) Any item stored or kept within an enclosed storage structure or unit. For the purpose of this subsection, a storage unit is a prefabricated enclosure which is not required to have a building permit and is not permanently affixed to the ground, but which is not on wheels or mobile.

    u. Storing or keeping of packing boxes, lumber, dirt, solid waste, and other debris, except as allowed by this code for the purposes of construction, in any areas visible from public property or neighboring properties for a period of time in excess of seventy—two consecutive hours. For purposes of this subsection, solid waste is defined as set forth in subsection j of this section. For purposes of this subsection, an item is unlawfully kept or stored in any area for a period of time in excess of seventy—two consecutive hours when either the item has not been removed from such area for an intervening period of time in excess of seventy—two consecutive hours, or the item has been kept or stored during the intervening period of time upon any public street.

    v. Wrecking, dismantling, disassembling, manufacturing, fabricating, building, remodeling, assembling, repairing, painting, washing, cleaning or servicing, in any setback area, of any airplane, aircraft, motor vehicle, boat, trailer, machinery, equipment, appliance or appliances, furniture or other personal property.

      (i) This subsection shall not prohibit an owner, lessee, tenant or occupant of the property from engaging in periodic activities incidental to the normal use of a motor vehicle, boat, trailer, or furniture owned by that owner, lessee, tenant or occupant of the property to the extent permitted by and in conformance with Title 18. Any such activities shall be completed within a consecutive seventy two hour period.

    w. The use of any trailer, camper, recreational vehicle or motor vehicle for living or sleeping quarters in any place in the city, outside of a lawfully operated mobile home park or recreational vehicle/travel park, subject to the following:

      (i) Nothing contained in this subsection shall be deemed to prohibit bona fide guests of a city resident from occupying a trailer, camper or recreational vehicle upon residential premises with the consent of the resident for a period not to exceed three hundred thirty—six consecutive hours when; (a) the trailer, camper or recreational vehicle has not been removed from such area for an intervening period of time in excess of three hundred thirty—six consecutive hours; or (b) the trailer, camper, or recreational vehicle has been parked, kept or stored during the intervening period of time on any public street.

      (ii) Nothing contained in this subsection shall be deemed to permit any violation of the Weed Municipal Code, California Building Code, California Electrical Code, or California Plumbing Code by any trailer, camper, or recreational vehicle occupied pursuant to subsection w(i) of this section, or any use of such trailer, camper, or recreational vehicle, or any connection from such trailer, camper or recreational vehicle to any building.

      (iii) Any trailer, camper, or recreational vehicle so used shall not discharge any waste or sewage into the city’s sewer system except through an approved residential discharge connection of the residential premises on which the trailer, camper or recreational vehicle is parked.

    x. Any condition which is detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare or which constitutes a nuisance under any other city ordinance, state law or common law.

    y. Any condition of deterioration or disrepair that creates substantial impact on neighboring properties.

 

  2. The acts and conditions specified below, when performed or existing upon any lot or parcel of land within the city, whether improved or unimproved, are de­clared to constitute blighted property, are unlawful, and are defined to be public nuisances which are injurious or potentially injurious to the public health, safety, and welfare, which have a tendency to degrade the appearance and property values of surrounding property and/or which cause damage to public rights-of-way. Nothing herein shall be deemed to restrict a public nuisance to the defi­nition provided below.

    a. A building or structure which is designed for human use or occupancy and which is not occu­pied as a residence or as business premises by human be­ings for more than ninety days, and is in violation of one or more of the following requirements:

      (i) If the building or structure is the subject of an active building permit for repair or rehabilitation, that the owner is progressing diligently to complete the repair or rehabilitation;

      (ii) If the building or structure meets all applicable building, habitability, and municipal code provisions, and does not otherwise constitute a pub­lic nuisance, it is ready for use or occupancy and is ac­tively being offered for sale, lease, or rent, at reasonable market rates; or

      (iii) The building or structure, in­cluding the premises on which it is located, does not oth­erwise constitute a public nuisance and is not likely to become a public nuisance because it is being actively maintained and monitored. Active maintenance and monitor­ing shall include compliance with all of the following:

        (A) Maintenance of landscaping and plant materials in good condition,

        (B) Maintenance of the exterior of the building or structure, including but limited to, its paint, finishes, and signs, in good condition,

        (C) Regular removal of all exte­rior trash, debris, and graffiti,

        (D) Maintenance, use, and occu­pancy of the building or structure in continuing compli­ance with all applicable codes, regulations, and ordinances, and

        (E) Prevention of criminal ac­tivity on the premises, including but not limited to the use, sale, growing, and distribution of controlled substances, prostitution, trespassing, curfew violations, or other behavior which tends to disturb the peace or the use or enjoyment of neighboring properties.

 

8.24.030 Waste matter defined. The term “waste matter” shall include but not be limited to broken crockery, broken bottles, metal vessels, trimmings from lawns, trees and flower gardens, ashes, pasteboard boxes, berry boxes, rags, paper, straw, mattresses, packing material, shavings, boxes, sawdust, brick, stones, piled dirt, wire and other combustible and non—combustible and flammable waste material.

 

8.24.040 Notice to abate. The city administrator or his duly authorized agent is authorized and empowered to delivery notice in writing to the owner, agent or person having charge of or occupying the premises on which a nuisance is being committed, and any person creating, causing, committing or maintaining such nuisance, and to order such owner, agent, person or persons to abate such nuisance. Such notice shall specify the nuisance and the manner in which it is being committed, and shall be delivered to the persons above mentioned. A copy of said notice shall also be delivered to the person owning the land on which the nuisance is being committed as such person s name and address appear on the last equalized assessment roll.

 

Said notice shall specify that the nuisance must be abated within fifteen days after the date of the delivery or mailing of said notice, or such shorter time as the city administrator deems appropriate. If the city administrator deems the nuisance to be an emergency, then he shall have the power to order the abatement summarily within twenty-four hours of the giving of the written notice as set forth above.

 

8.24.050 Failure to abate nuisance——Infractions Any owner, agent, person having charge of, or occupying, any premises on which the nuisance is being committed within the city, or any person creating, causing, Committing, or maintaining the nuisance who refuses or neglects to abate the same in pursuance to the request specified in the notice within the period specified therein, which shall in no case be less than twenty—four hours, shall be guilty of an infraction, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.20.040 of this code. This shall be in addition to all other avail­able remedies as hereinafter set forth as provided by law.

 

8.24.060 Failure to abate nuisance——Notice to show cause. If the owner, agent or person having charge of or occupying any premises on which said nuisance is being committed or the person creating, causing, committing or maintaining said nuisance fails to comply with the notice by completing the abatement within the period prescribed in the notice, or by making such other arrangements as may be satisfactory to the city administrator, the city administrator shall thereupon direct the city clerk to deliver a notice to the said persons, and a copy thereof to any lien or mortgage holder as may appear from a title report obtained from a title company, to appear before the city council of the city, to be heard and show cause, if any, why the nuisance should not be abated by the city. The cost of the title report shall be added to the costs chargeable to such persons as hereinafter set forth.

 

8.24.070 Council hearing. At the time fixed in the notice, the city council shall proceed to hear the testimony of said persons to whom such notice has been given or their representatives or other competent persons who may be present and desire to testify respecting the nuisance, the estimated cost of abating the same and any other matter which the city council may deem pertinent thereto. Upon the conclusion of the hearing, the city council may by resolution declare its finding, and in the event that it so concludes, it may declare that the nuisance is being committed, and that the owner agent, or person having charge of or occupying the premises on which the nuisance is being committed, and the person creating, causing, committing or maintaining such nuisance shall commence the abatement of the same within fifteen days after the date of posting on the premises a notice of the adoption of the resolution, and shall complete such abatement within sixty days of such date or such other shorter time as may be deemed necessary by the council, and that said persons shall be notified that if the nuisance is not so abated, the city will abate the same and the expenses thereof will be made a lien on the lot or parcel of land from which the nuisance is being abated. On or about the day the premises are posted, the city clerk shall deliver copies of the resolution to all said persons as such persons names and addresses appear on the last equalized assessment roll, or as known to the city clerk, and to each mortgagee or lien holder at their last known address.

 

8.24.080 Right to abate. In the event the nuisance is not abated by the owner, agent, or person having charge of or occupying the premises on which said nuisance is being committed, or other person creating, causing, committing, or maintaining said nuisance, the city administrator shall cause the nuisance to be abated either by use of city personnel or by contracting with a licensed contractor for the abatement. The city shall keep an itemized account of the expenses involved. The city official having charge of the department involved in the abatement shall submit an itemized statement to the city clerk, who shall set a date for hearing by the city council upon such statement, and the city clerk shall deliver a copy of the statement to the owner, agent or person having charge of the premises, or any person creating, causing, committing or maintaining such nuisance, and to any mortgagee or lien holder, along with a notice of the time and place and when and where the statement shall be submitted to the city council for approval and confirmation. At that time the city council shall consider any objections or protests which may be raised by any property owner liable to be assessed for the cost of such work, and any other interested persons to whom the costs may be assessed personally.

 

8.24.090 Collection of costs of abatement. The owner, agent, and person having charge of or occupying the property on which the nuisance is being abated and any and all persons creating, causing, committing or maintaining the nuisance jointly and severally shall be personally liable to the city for the cost of the abatement, work done or caused to be done by the city. At the time fixed for hearing on the statement of expense, the city council shall consider the statement together with any objections or protests which may be raised by owners of the property or any person creating, causing, committing or maintaining the nuisance liable to be assessed for the doing of the work, and any other interested persons, after which, by resolution, the statement as submitted, or as ordered, revised, corrected, or modified by the city council, shall be confirmed and adopted. If not paid within five days after passage of the resolution, it shall constitute a lien on the real property constituting the premises upon which the nuisance was abated.

 

Additionally it may be collected by the commencement of a civil action against any person so creating, causing, committing or maintaining the nuisance and/or by a special assessment against the real property constituting the premises on which the nuisance was abated. The resolution may further direct the city clerk to file with the auditor of Siskiyou County, and the county assessor and tax collector, certified copies of the resolution and the statement adopted therein. The assessment may be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ordinary municipal taxes are collected, and shall be subject to the same penalties and the same procedure and sale in case of delinquency as provided for ordinary municipal taxes. All laws applicable to the levy, collection and enforcement of municipal taxes shall be applicable to the special assessment. However, if any real property to which the cost of abatement relates has been transferred or conveyed to a bona fide purchaser for value, or if a lien of a bona fide encumbrancer for value has been created and attaches thereon, prior to the date on which the first installment of the taxes would become delinquent, then the cost of abatement shall not result in a lien against the real property but instead shall be transferred to the unsecured roll for collection. Notices or instruments relating to the abatement proceeding or special assessment shall be entitled to recordation.

 

8.24.100 Manner of giving notices. Any notices required or permitted to be delivered by this chapter shall be given in the following manner: by personal delivery to the person to whom such notice is to be given, or by depositing it in the United States mail at Weed, California, postage prepaid, certified, or registered, return receipt requested, addressed to such person as such person s name and address appear on the last equalized assessment roll and to such person’s last known address, if different. The officer or employee of the city giving such notice shall file an affidavit thereof with the clerk of the city certifying to the date and manner such notice was given. He shall also file therewith any receipt card which may have been returned to him in acknowledgment of receipt of such notice. The failure of any person to receive such notice shall not affect in any manner the validity of any proceedings taken under this chapter.

 

8.24.110 Separability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this code including amendments added and required by the city is found to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code.

 

Chapter 8.28

TREE CUTTTNG ON PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PROPERTY

 

Sections:

8.28.010 Intent and purpose.

8.28.020 Scope.

8.28.030 Definitions.

8.28.040 Prohibition of removal.

8.28.050 Tree cutting permit.

8.28.060 Home firewood permits.

8.28.070 Standards for granting or denying tree removal.

8.28.080 Exemptions.

8.28.090 Trees on city lands and rights—of-way.

8.28.100 Appeals.

8.28.110 Fees.

8.28.120 Penalties for violation.

8.28.130 Compliance with other laws and regulations.

 

8.28.010 Intent and Purpose. It is the determination of the city council that, in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city, proper and necessary steps be taken in order to protect and preserve mature trees, especially where those mature trees are associated with proposals for urban development, or are located on hillside areas. This chapter shall be interpreted and applied so as to allow all economic development which is otherwise permissible under the city’s planning ordinances and regulations, and not to make such development economically infeasible, but to preserve all trees subject hereto the removal of which is not reasonably necessary to the project.

 

8.28.020 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to trees located on parcels of one third acre or more, or on lands which have been subdivided or split within thirty-six months and which, before such subdivision or split into small portions, were one third acre or more.

 

8.28.030 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

“Cut” means to cut, remove, destroy or deliberately cause significant damage to any mature tree, but shall not include normal trimming or pruning of any tree which does not damage it, or jeopardize its survival.

“Director” means the director of public works, the city administrator in the absence of the former, or such other persons who may from time to time be designated by either of them.

“Mature tree” means a living tree with a circumference of thirty or more inches, including all major stems, as measured four and one-half feet above the root crown (9.5 inch diameter)

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, or other business entity.

“Tree retention plan” means a plot plan diagramming the remaining trees following tree removal.

 

8.28.040 Prohibition of removal. No mature tree shall be cut on any parcel within the subject of this chapter, except as provided herein.

 

8.28.050 Tree cutting permit. A. Any person who desires to cut any mature tree subject to this chapter shall apply to the city for a permit to do so.

 

The director shall establish the format and information required for such application, consistent with this chapter, and including the number of mature trees on the property, the slope of the property, the designation, number and species of mature trees to be removed, the reasons for removal, and a tree retention plan. The directors and two members of the planning commission shall review the information contained on the application form and make an on-site inspection to verify its accuracy.

 

Within twenty days after receipt of a completed application, and payment of the fee therefor, the director shall issue a report and recommendation, both of which shall thereupon be submitted to the planning commission at its next meeting. If the director finds it necessary, he may require the applicant to provide a written report prepared by a registered professional forester or person with similar credentials, to supplement the application. This requirement may be appealed to the planning commission at its next meeting.

B. The planning commission shall determine whether, or to what extent, and on what terms and conditions, within the guidelines set forth below, the permit should be issued. The planning commission may, as a condition of the issuance of a permit, specify mitigation which must be done in order to diminish any negative impact resulting from the cutting, including but not limited to replanting of trees or other vegetation, and removing or grinding of stumps. Stump height, after cutting or grinding, shall not exceed four inches above ground level.

C. If deemed necessary, the planning commission shall require the applicant to provide a written report, prepared by a registered professional forester, or person with similar credentials, to supplement an application.

D. If the planning commission fails to act on a completed application within sixty days, the permit shall be deemed to have been issued, unless the applicant has agreed to extend such time.

 

8.28.060 Home firewood permits. The owner of lands of any size acreage may cut up to six cords of firewood from mature trees thereon each year, upon application to the director and issuance by the director of a tree cutting permit. Such firewood must be for the personal use of said owner and may not be sold or transferred to any other person. The director shall apply the applicable standards of Section 8.28.070 for granting or denying a tree cutting permit for home firewood. Slash disposal shall be by pile and burn, chip or removal. Stumps shall be removed or ground or cut so as not to exceed four inches above ground level.

 

8.28.070 Standards for granting or denying tree removal. The determination by the planning commission to issue a tree cutting permit shall be based on the criteria set forth below.

A. The condition of the tree with respect to disease, danger of collapse of all or any portion, proximity to an existing structure, walkway, driveway, alley or street, or interference with utility services;

B. The necessity to remove the tree in order to construct public or private improvements which allow economic development of the property. In applying this subsection, the planning commission shall not consider such removal to be necessary for a private improvement unless the applicant has actually applied for, and has paid plan checking fees for a building permit for the subject improvements. The request to remove a tree shall not be denied if the applicant shows that the tree would unreasonably interfere with a building, road, or other necessary appropriate improvement, or with grading required for appropriate drainage, and parking areas necessary to provide for sufficient use of the property so as to make a project economically feasible;

C. The number of mature trees existing on the subject property;

D. Good forestry practices, i.e., the number of healthy mature trees that a given area will support, and stern spacing no greater than twenty-five feet. This also applies to Section 8.28.060;

E. Whether removal of the tree is necessary to any public or utility right-of-way;

F. The suitability of the tree species in the subject area;

G. The slope and other physical attributes of the land on which the trees are located.

 

8.28.080 Exemptions. The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:

A. Trees on order of the city administrator, director of public works, or a member of the police or fire departments if the condition of the mature tree poses an imminent threat to the public safety to the extent that it would be unreasonable to wait and submit an application;

B. Trees on land of the United States, the state of California, or on land owned or leased by any duly formed school district or special district;

C. Trees planted, grown, or held for sale by a licensed nursery;

D. Christmas tree farms;

E. Dead or diseased trees.

 

8.28.090 Trees on city lands and rights-of-way. The following procedure shall be followed for removal of trees from any lands owned or leased by the city, or over which the city has any easement or right—of—way:

A. The director may issue a permit for the removal of any of the following, without first submitting the same to the planning commission:

  1. Trees deemed by the director to be necessary to obtain adequate line—of-sight distances for public streets or roads;

  2. Trees within or adjacent to the public right-of-way which, in the opinion of the director, will likely cause damage to existing public improvements.

B. Before issuing such a permit, the director shall, not less than fifteen days in advance, cause to be posted an a conspicuous place at City Hall, and mailed to every owner of real property within one hundred feet of the subject tree, a notice of the director’s intention to issue the permit. Thereafter, not later than fifteen days after such mailing and posting, whichever is later, any interested person may protest, in writing, the proposed issuance of the permit.

C. Any protest of a proposed permit under this section shall be considered by the planning commission within forty—five days. If the planning commission fails to act on the protest within forty-five days, the protest shall be deemed rejected, unless both the director and the protesting party have agreed to extend such time.

 

8.28.100 Appeals. Decisions of the planning commission may be appealed to the city council in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 18.40 of this code.

 

8.28.110 Fees. The city council may, from time to time, by resolution, set fees for all tree cutting permits required hereunder, which shall reimburse the city’s expenses for processing applications and the other costs of regulation and enforcement.

 

8.28.120 Penalties for violation. Violations of this chapter shall he punishable in any or all of the following ways:

A. Each mature tree which is cut shall be a separate violation.

B. Each violation will be punished with a fine of five hundred dollars.

C. The city may obtain injunctive relief against further violations, and recover attorney fees incurred by the city in doing so.

D. In addition to any penalties described in this section, in the event of a violation of this chapter on lands owned or leased by the city or within any city right of way, the violator shall he liable to the city for the replacement value of said trees and any damage incurred as a result of such violation, and the city shall be able to recover any attorneys fees incurred by the city in doing so.

 

8.28.130 Compliance with other laws and regulations. A. Nothing herein shall relieve an applicant from complying with the laws or regulations of other governmental entities. The issuance of a timber harvesting plan, or other tree cutting permit, by another governmental entity shall not relieve a person from also complying with this chapter.

B. Negative declarations shall address all applicable portions of this chapter. Environmental impact reports shall also address this chapter.

C. The California Department of Forestry’s timber harvest review team is requested to notify the city of any proposed timber harvest plan and harvest plan exemptions within the city limits.