RE: Spring / Summer Flora ­Relevant City Ordinances

I would like to thank the residents of Chadron for helping to make our town a clean and friendly place to live and visit. Last year, my first as the Special Services Officer, kept me very busy; I was privileged to meet many homeowners and residents in town while explaining City Ordinances related to weeds and animal control. While we were fortunate to have had enough moisture to keep everything green last year that privilege came with a bit of work in keeping up with foliage growth.

The willingness and hard work of those I contacted and many others has paid off. Our alleyways this year are looking much better than in years past and it is evident that our neighbors and friends care about their yards. Recently, while driving through our community, I have seen many people getting an early start on yard maintenance proving that this year will be no exception to the well­kept yards we all enjoy.

If you are new to our community, or if you are unaware of our City Ordinances regarding Weeds and Overhanging Branches, the following City Ordinances may help you help keep our community clean and attractive.

§ 11­304 WEEDS; DECLARED NUISANCE. It shall be a nuisance to permit or maintain any growth of 12 inches or more in height of weeds, grasses, or worthless vegetation on any lot or piece of ground within the City.

§ 13­114 OVERHANGING BRANCHES. Any tree or shrub growing on private property abutting a public right­of­way, or growing on the public right­of­way, which overhangs any sidewalk, street, or alley in the City, in such a way as to impede or interfere with traffic or travel, or within ten feet of a street or alley level, eight feet of a sidewalk’s level, shall be trimmed by the owner of the premises abutting the public right­of­way containing the sidewalks, street, or alley, so that the obstruction shall cease, and there shall be a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the sidewalk and ten feet above the surface of the street or alley. Any tree limb or a tree which has become likely to fall on or across any public right­of­way containing a sidewalk, street, or alley shall be removed by the owner of the premises which abuts the public right­of­way. 2 We were also fortunate last year to have had a lot of great feedback from people in the community regarding City Ordinances and an overwhelming number of people shared concerns regarding grass and vegetation overhanging our curbs. In response to that amazing feedback the following City Ordinance, along with the cooperation of homeowners and residents, will assist in keeping our curbs free of overhanging debris.

§ 13­119 SPACE BETWEEN CURB LINE AND LOT LINE; ABUTTING OWNER PROTECTS AND CULTIVATES AS LAWN. It shall be the duty of any owner or occupant of any lot abutting upon any street to keep the space between the lot and curb line on the street free and clear of all weeds, rubbish, or other obstructions, and every such owner may improve the same and cultivate the same as a lawn, with grass and flowers, and when so improved and cultivated, it shall be unlawful for any person in any manner to injure or deface the lawn or flowers so planted or cultivated thereon, except, the lawn and flowers may be removed by the City at any time the public right­of­way is needed for any public purpose.

The City of Chadron realizes that at times it is difficult to trim around some corners or obstacles in yards or on other property every week, whether that be from lack of trimming equipment, time or other factors, to that end we primarily focus on the majority of the yard for enforcement of City Ordinance §11­304. While any growth in excess of twelve inches is enforceable by City Ordinance, I trust that pride in our community and cooperation with current City Ordinances will prevent necessary enforcement of excessive growth left for extended periods of time.

For our residents who may be unable to trim branches, trees or bushes, or may have difficulty mowing their lawn, due to scheduling or health issues, I am able to provide contact information for reasonable, fee­based, options available to accomplish these tasks, both on a one­time or scheduled basis.

It is my continued pleasure to serve the community of Chadron as your Special Services Officer.

For questions or comments regarding City Ordinances presented in this article or those regarding Animal Control or Abandoned Vehicles, please contact Mark Cloyd, Special Services Officer, at the Chadron Police Department at (308) 432-­0510.