CITY OF COON RAPIDS, MINNESOTA
CHAPTER 8-500
WEEDS

8-501 Definition.

(1) “Weeds” shall be construed to mean and include all noxious weeds as defined by the statutes of the State of Minnesota and all such useless and troublesome plants as are commonly known as weeds to the general public.
(2) “Turf” means non-crop land planted in closely mowed, managed grasses including, but not limited to, residential and commercial residential property, private golf courses, and property owned by federal, state, or local units of government, including parks, recreation areas, and public golf courses. Turf does not mean pasture, hay land, hay, turf grown on turf farms, or any other form of agricultural production. [Revised 7/16/02, Ordinance 1778]

8-502 Noxious Weeds. Because the growth of noxious weeds and other harmful vegetation is subject to needless abuse, creating a detriment to public health, comfort, and convenience of the residents of the City of Coon Rapids, as well as creating a general aesthetic depreciation, the growth of such vegetation is hereby declared to be a nuisance.

8-503 Growing Grass. Weeds or grass growing to a height greater than eight (8) inches upon any lot or parcel of land within the City or which have gone or are about to go to seed, may be declared by the Weed Inspector, or his assistants, to be a nuisance.

In determining whether weeds or growing grasses constitute a nuisance, the Weed Inspector, or his assistants, shall consider one (1) or more of the following:

(1) The weeds or grasses are located within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, office, or commercial or industrial building;
(2) The weeds or grasses are located within a sight triangle as defined by City Code Section 11-1825;
(3) The weeds are noxious weeds as defined by Minnesota State Statutes;
(4) The weeds or grasses are a detriment to the public health, comfort, and convenience of the residents of the City;
(5) The weeds or grasses create a general aesthetic depreciation of the neighborhood.

8-504 Permitting a Nuisance.

(1) Notice. When the owner and/or occupant permit a nuisance to exist in violation of this Chapter, the Weed Inspector, or his assistants, shall serve a notice on the owner, occupant, or agent of the owner of such lot or parcel of land ordering such person to have such weeds or grass cut and removed or otherwise eradicated or removed within five (5) days after the service of such notice. Such notice shall also state that in event of noncompliance, removal will be done by the City of Coon Rapids at the owner’s expense. When no owner, occupant, or agent of the owner can be found, notice shall be sent by registered mail to the person who is listed on the records of the County Auditor or County Treasurer as the owner; service will be complete with mailing.
(2) Noncompliance with Notice. If such person fails to comply with the notice within five (5) days after service, or if no owner, occupant, or agent can be found, the weed inspector, or his assistants, shall have such weeds cut and removed or otherwise eradicated. The records showing the cost of such work attributable to each separate lot or parcel shall be delivered to the City Clerk. On or before the first day of October of each year, the amount so charged against said lot or parcel of land, together with a description of the premises and the name of supposed owner, shall be certified to the County Auditor and shall be collected in the same manner as taxes and/or special assessments against said premises.
(3) Appeal. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Weed Inspector, or his assistants, may appeal that decision to the City Council by filing a written request with the Weed Inspector, or his assistants, within five (5) days of service of the notice provided herein. The Weed Inspector, or his assistants, shall within five (5) days cause the appeal to be placed on the next regular City Council agenda and shall notify the appellant of the date, time, and place of such meeting. The City Council shall have authority to affirm, amend, or reject the decision of the Weed Inspector, or his assistants.

8-505 Phosphorous Fertilizer Sales. From and after January 1, 2004, all displays for retail sale to the general public of fertilizers containing phosphorous must be posted with a sign containing, at a minimum, the following information:

(1) The fertilizer in the display contains phosphorus.
(2) State law prohibits the application of phosphorous fertilizers on any turf except:

a. Where a state approved test conducted within the previous three years demonstrates that the level of phosphorous in the soil is insufficient to support healthy turf growth.
b. During the first growing season of a newly sodded or seeded turf.

(3) A person who applies phosphorous fertilizer except when authorized by this Section or state law is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and subject to a fine.
(4) Additional consumer information on phosphorous fertilizer use restrictions and best turf management practices as produced by the State Commissioner of Agriculture must be posted or made available for distribution at all retail points of sale. [Revised 7/16/02, Ordinance 1778]

8-506 Obstructing City Employees. No person shall obstruct the Weed Inspector, or his employees, in the cutting, removal, or eradication of weeds or grass. Each day on which such obstruction continues shall constitute a separate offense.