Amending Chapter 19 Addressing Tall Grass, Weeds, Noxious Weeds and Rank or Overgrown Vegetation

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Ordinance on Tall Grass, Weeds, Etc. Page 2 This ordinance permits native grasses and planting for ecological restoration and to further natural landscaping subject to existing setback regulations and safety considerations. The Common Council recognizes that there are private and public benefits resulting from the maintenance of properties, and that well maintained properties enhance the vibrancy of the neighborhoods and the overall welfare of the City. The Common Council, in collaboration with the City Administration, believe that the following ordinance is in the best interest of preserving and protecting the public health, safety and welfare of the City of South Bend, Indiana. �n> mere, G n.� r�laGiter/ /r�! /e ?a......... aroieei(n� / /re ,YY�- rr! /e � ciu /, .7�limua, ml�( /errs: Section I. Chapter 19, Article 2, Section 19 -32 through Section 19 -35 of the South Bend Municipal Code is amended to read in its entirety as follows: ARTICLE 2. ABATEMENT REGULATIONS ADDRESSING TALL GRASS WEEDS, NOXIOUS WEEDS, AND RANK OR OVERGROWN VEGETATION Sec. 19 -32 Definitions. For purposes of this Article, the following definitions shall apply' (a) City shall mean the City of South Bend, Indiana. (b) Enforcement Authority shall mean the Department of Code Enforcement (c) Hydrophytic vegetation are plants living in wdtlands governed by the federal Clean Water Act. (d) Natural landscaping vegetation shall mean native or beneficial landscaping vegetation which helps balance the needs and sense of beauty with those of nature by protecting existing natural areas reduces the use of pesticides practices soil and water conservation reduces the use of power landscape equipment, and helps reduce heating/cooling needs Natural landscaping vegetation requires the property owner to have a current wildlife habitat certification which must be shown and presented to the City's Enforcement Authority, in the event that the property becomes subject to a complaint or inspection .2 ' The website of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) www.wetlands.IN.sov sets forth the governing regulations consistent with the federal Clean Water Act. z The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 which includes Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin has published a "Natural Landscaping Resource List", and has published articles on `Beneficial Landscaping" copies of which are on file in the Office of the City Clerk. Some examples of natural landscaping include native plants and vegetation, prairie wildflowers, ornamental grasses, and native woodlands. Wildlife Habitat Certification which is required by this ordinance has information available at ht!p:Hvw .indianawildlife org/habitat- proQrams /wilfdlife - friendly- certification - program . The City shall maintain a link to such information on their website.