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Polson to enforce clean property ordinance

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It is that time of year when your neighbors call and come into my office to complain about you because you have let the weeds and grass get out of control. Some complaints are about fire danger, and some complaints are about how the property looks and affects the complainants. 

There is an ordinance about keeping your property cleaned and clear of tall grass and weeds and other debris. The City ordinance number is 7.04.060 Keeping Property Clean: 

“It shall be the duty of the owner, agent, occupant or lessee of the property to keep premises free of litter, rubbish, garbage and unkempt foliage, including but not limited to weeds and uncut grass. This requirement applies not only to lose litter, but also to materials that already are or become trapped at such locations as fence and wall bases, grassy or planted areas, borders, embankments and other lodging points.

Persons whose properties face municipal sidewalks and boulevards are responsible for keeping that portion of the sidewalks and boulevards adjacent to their property free of garbage, litter and rubbish. The same responsibility extends to properties that face alleys.

It shall be unlawful to sweep or push litter from sidewalks and boulevards into streets.

It shall be the duty of every owner of a vacant property to keep that property free of litter, rubbish, garbage and unkempt foliage, including but not limited to weeds and uncut grass.” 

When working on cleaning up your property, please consider the alley behind your property because others have to look at the mess in the back of your property. The alley is also a service lane for many emergency agencies. Please prune up the trees and bushes so that the view triangle entering the street is good. Trees need to be pruned up to at least 14 feet. Please haul away all the blowing garbage and other stuff that will end up in your neighbor’s yard. 

Please take the time to work around your property and get it cleaned up. I have received numerous complaints already and will start enforcement of the City ordinance July 1. An owner will receive a letter regarding the complaint and will have 10 days to take care of the matter. If the problem is not taken care in 10 days, someone will be hired to take care of the problem, and a bill will be attached to the tax statement you receive and a citation may also be issued. 

If you receive a citation, it has penalties stepped over time and the fine increases. I am asking that you take care of the problem before I am made the bad guy and have to do it for you.

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