CHAPTER 09 Title 5 Litter and Weed Control
CHAPTER 9
REFUSE, JUNK, LITTER AND WEED CONTROL
SECTION:
5-9-1: Purpose
5-9-2: Definitions
5-9-3: Litter in Public Places
5-9-4: Deposit of Litter in Receptacles
5-9-5: Deposit of Petroleum Products
5-9-6: Littering from Vehicles
5-9-7: Dropping Material From Aircraft
5-9-8: Improper Hauling of Litter
5-9-9: Posting Notices
5-9-10: Reserved
5-9-11: Accumulation of Litter Upon Private Property
5-9-12: Removal of Weeds
5-9-13: Dumping Refuse Unlawful
5-9-14: Accumulation of Refuse
5-9-15: Canals, Right-of-Ways, Vacant Lots and Fields
5-9-16: Civil Remedy to Abate
5-9-17: Failure to Comply with Notice
5-9-18: Citation to Appear
5-9-19: Failure to Appear
5-9-20: Special Assessments
5-9-21: Junk, Keeping and Storage of Restricted
5-9-22: Civil and Criminal Remedies
5-9-23: Violations and Penalties
5-9-1: PURPOSE: The accumulation of waste, refuse, trash, garbage, rubbish,
litter, and other deleterious substances upon public and private property and in streets
and alleys within the City detracts from the appearance of the City and reduces property
values. The accumulation of such waste also increases the spread of contagious
diseases and infections, and creates a health and safety hazard to children. It is
necessary for the preservation of health, safety, sanitation and the public welfare that
proper and adequate regulations be adopted to require property owners, tenants and all
persons having control of real property and the storage, disposal and accumulation of
waste, to remove and dispose of such waste in the manner specified in this chapter.
5-9-2: DEFINITIONS: For the purposes of this chapter, certain terms shall have
the meanings ascribed below:
AIRCRAFT: Any craft designed for navigation or flight in air.
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CONTAINMENT: Halting the spread of a weed infestation beyond specified
boundaries. As used in this chapter, normally considered within
the property boundaries of an owner/occupant
CONTROL: Any or all of the following: prevention, rehabilitation, eradication or
modified treatments.
DIRECTOR: The Director of the State of Idaho Department of Agriculture or the
Director’s designated agent.
ERADICATION: The elimination of a noxious weed based on absence as
determined by a visual inspection by the control authority during
the current growing season.
GARBAGE: Any waste resulting from the preparation, cooking, consumption or
handling of food or other edible substance, whether for human or
animal consumption, including without limitation, waste from the
handling, storage and sale of produce.
HANDBILL: Any printed or written matter, sample, circular, leaflet, pamphlet,
booklet, or any other printed literature of any kind.
JUNK: Any waste consisting of any mechanical appliance, vehicle,
machinery, equipment or apparatus, or any parts therefrom,
including without limitation, all non-functional appliances,
automobiles, automobile parts, recreational vehicles, boats,
snowmobiles, motorcycles, farming and construction equipment.
LITTER: Garbage, junk and, refuse as defined herein.
NOXIOUS WEED: Any plant having the potential to cause injury to public health,
crops, livestock, land or other property; and which is designated
as noxious by the director.
OCCUPANT: Any person having control, possession or charge over real
property.
OWNER: Any person having a fee ownership in real property.
PREVENTION: Any action that reduces the potential for the introduction or
establishment of a plant species in areas not currently infested
with that species; or any action that deters the spread of noxious
weeds.
REHABILITATION: The processes of reconditioning formerly weed infested land to a
productive or desirable condition.
REFUSE: All waste of any kind or nature, including, but not limited to, wood
products, tree trimmings, grass cuttings, dead plants, leaves, dead
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trees or branches thereof, chips, shavings, sawdust, printed
matter, paper, pasteboard, straw, used and discarded mattresses,
used and discarded clothing, used and discarded shoes and
boots, combustible waste pulp, other products such as are used
for packaging, wrapping, crockery and glass, ashes, floor
sweepings, glass, mineral or metallic substances, and any and all
other wastes materials, not included in the definition of bulky
waste, construction debris, dead animals, garbage, hazardous
waste or stable matter, stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers,
furniture, scrap metals, car parts, tires, handbills, newspapers,
papers, cartons, boxes, barrels, wood, brush, weeds, branches,
yard trimmings, leaves, furniture, bedding, tin cans, metals,
bottles, ashes, clinkers, automobile bodies and parts, appliances,
broken glass, broken concrete, rock, crockery, mineral waste,
street sweepings, industrial waste, sawdust, lumber scraps,
shavings, animal carcasses, wire and plastics.
WASTE: Any material having little or no value beyond its value for recycling
purposes, or any material for which there is no practical use other
than for recycling, and which if placed or deposited as prohibited
in this chapter is markedly offensive or unsightly, or which creates
an offensive odor or is unsanitary or unsafe, attracts insects or
rodents or in any way creates a public nuisance or health or safety
hazard.
WEEDS: Any plant, growing or dead, more than fifteen (15) inches in
height, measured from the surface of the ground, except plants
grown for ornamental purposes or for production of food for
man or beast. Noxious plants, regardless of height, shall be
considered weeds. Noxious weeds shall include but not be limited
to all noxious weeds described as part of Title 22, Chapter 24,
Idaho Code, and by this reference, all provisions of the
aforementioned Code are hereby affirmed and made part of this
Ordinance.
5-9-3: LITTER IN PUBLIC PLACES: No person shall throw or deposit litter in or
upon any private property, canal right of way, public street, alley, sidewalk, park, right of
way, or upon any publicly-owned property within the City, except in receptacles designed
therefore.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction and subject
to section 1-4-2 of the Ammon City Code.
5-9-4: DEPOSIT OF LITTER IN RECEPTACLES: No person shall deposit litter
in any receptacle in a manner which exceeds the capacity of such receptacle or which
will create a likelihood of its being blown or carried by the elements upon any public
place or private property.
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Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction and subject
to section 1-4-2 of the Ammon City Code.
5-9-5: DEPOSIT OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS: No person shall pour or
deposit oil or any other petroleum product upon any private property, canal right of way,
public street, alley, sidewalk, park or other public property, provided nothing herein shall
prevent the use of oil, asphalt or other petro-chemicals for the purpose of construction,
maintenance or operation of a street or alley.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed a misdemeanor and
subject to section 1-4-1 of the Ammon City Code.
5-9-6: LITTERING FROM VEHICLES: No person shall throw, or permit to be
thrown from any vehicle, any litter or handbills while a driver or passenger in a vehicle
being operated upon a public street or alley.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction and subject
to section 1-4-2 of the Ammon City Code and Idaho Code 18-7031.
5-9-7: DROPPING MATERIAL FROM AIRCRAFT: No person in any aircraft
shall throw out any litter or handbills while flying over the City.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed a misdemeanor and
subject to section 1-4-1 of the Ammon City Code.
5-9-8: IMPROPER HAULING OF LITTER: It is unlawful for any person to haul
litter and/or weeds, or otherwise operate a vehicle carrying litter and/or weeds, in any
manner which causes litter to be deposited upon any public street, sidewalk or private
property, or which creates likelihood that litter and/or weeds will be blown, dropped or
spilled therefrom.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction and subject
to section 1-4-2 of the Ammon City Code.
5-9-9: POSTING NOTICES: No person shall post or affix any handbill upon
any public utility pole, sign post, lamp post, telephone pole, shade tree or upon any
public structure or building, except as may be expressly authorized or required by law.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction and subject
to section 1-4-2 of the Ammon City Code.
5-9-10: RESERVED
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5-9-11: ACCUMULATION OF LITTER UPON PRIVATE PROPERTY: It shall be
unlawful for any person owning or having control of private property within the City to
deposit, store or allow the accumulation of litter upon such property, except:
(A) The temporary storage or accumulation of construction debris or materials in a
manner which prevents the same from being blown upon adjoining property,
while a building or structure is being constructed upon the premises or during
remodeling or reconstruction thereof.
(B) Upon any property owned or operated by any recycler, salvage dealer, or junk
yard dealer licensed by the City, subject to all provisions and restrictions
contained in any ordinance or statute governing the operation of such licensed
business.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction and subject
to section 1-4-2 of the Ammon City Code.
5-9-12: REMOVAL OF WEEDS: It shall be unlawful for any owner or occupant
of any real property within the City to allow weeds to grow, exist or accumulate upon
such real property. The existence of such weeds is declared to constitute a public
nuisance. The owner or person in control of such property shall destroy and remove
such weeds or plants. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the landowner/occupant
to keep and maintain all weeds below the height as specified in the definitions of this
chapter.
Weeds Not Classified as Noxious:
(A) It shall be the duty and responsibility of all landowners/occupants to control
weeds on their land and property, in accordance with this chapter and/or
Bonneville County ordinances or the State of Idaho Statutes.
(B) The cost of controlling weeds shall be the obligation of the landowner.
(C) Subject to section 5-9-17 of this chapter, the landowner shall reimburse the city
for work done because of failure to comply with a five (5) day notice.
Noxious Weeds:
(A) It shall be the duty and responsibility of all landowners/occupants to control
noxious weeds on their land and property, in accordance with this chapter and/or
Bonneville County Code or the State of Idaho Statutes.
(B) The cost of controlling noxious weeds shall be the obligation of the landowner.
(C) Noxious weed control must be for prevention, eradication, rehabilitation, control
or containment efforts. However, areas may be modified from the eradication
requirement if the landowner is a participant in a county-approved weed
management plan or county-approved cooperative weed management area.
(D) The landowner shall reimburse the city and/or county control authority for work
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done because of failure to comply with a five (5) day notice, as outlined in section
22-2405, Idaho Code.
(E) If an article is infested with noxious weeds, it shall not be moved from designated
premises until it is treated in accordance with the applicable rules, or in
accordance with the written permission of a control authority.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction and subject
to section 1-4-2 of the Ammon City Code.
5-9-13: DUMPING REFUSE UNLAWFUL: No person shall dump, place, or
deposit any trash, refuse, matter, filth, waste, rags, paper, tin or aluminum cans, or any
substance likely to produce disease or infection on any lot, street, alley, or public right-
of-way within the City.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction and subject
to section 1-4-2 of the Ammon City Code.
5-9-14: ACCUMULATION OF REFUSE: It shall be unlawful for any occupant to
accumulate or allow the accumulation of refuse upon property under his control in a
manner which is markedly offensive or unsightly, attracts insects or rodents, is
unsanitary, unsafe or unhealthy or which otherwise causes a public nuisance.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction and subject
to section 1-4-2 of the Ammon City Code.
5-9-15: CANALS, RIGHT-OF-WAYS, VACANT LOTS AND FIELDS: It shall be
unlawful for the owner or the person in control of any land within the City, whether within
a subdivision or outside a subdivision, to allow, permit, or suffer weeds to grow or exist
on, or in, canals, right-of-ways including parking strips, sidewalks, and curbing, or upon
vacant lots and fields.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an infraction and subject
to section 1-4-2 of the Ammon City Code.
5-9-16: CIVIL REMEDY TO ABATE: The City Enforcement Officer may notify the
owner or person in control of land where litter or weeds exist, to remove the litter or to
cut, remove and destroy the weeds. The notice shall specify the time limited for the
removal of said litter and weeds. Said notice shall be served personally upon such
owner/person in control or by mail.
5-9-17: FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH NOTICE: If the owner or person in control
of such premises fails to comply with the notice to abate, the Enforcement Officer shall
mail a certified notice to the property owner stating that non-compliance may result in the
City ordering the work to be done at the expense of the City and the same shall be
charged against and be a lien against the property until paid. Said lien shall be filed in
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the same manner as is provided herein for the filing of special assessments against
property.
5-9-18: CITATION TO APPEAR: Whenever it is determined by any enforcement
officer that any person has violated any provision of this Ordinance, the said officer may
serve upon the owner or person in control of the land where the violation exists, a written
citation containing a notice to appear in the Magistrate Court, the name and address of
the person charged, the offense charged, the time and place when and where the
offense charged occurred, the time when the person charged shall appear in Magistrate
Court, and such other pertinent information as may be necessary or advisable. The
issuance of such citation shall not be the exclusive method for enforcement of this
chapter.
5-9-19: FAILURE TO APPEAR: It shall be unlawful for any person to fail or
neglect to appear, in response to and as required by such citation, regardless of the
disposition of the charge upon which such citation was originally issued. Appearance in
Magistrate Court shall be deemed complied with by an appearance by the person
charged or by his attorney.
5-9-20: SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS: Notwithstanding the imposition of any
criminal fine, penalty, or imprisonment, the City may, subject to the provisions of this
section, remove any litter and/or weeds from any private property within the City and
calculate a special assessment against such property for the reasonable costs of such
removal. Prior to the removal of such litter and/or weeds, the City shall give notice in
writing to the owner of such property, which notice shall state the street address of the
property where the litter and/or weeds exists and shall describe the nature and general
location of the litter and/or weeds to be removed. Such notice shall state that if such litter
and/or weeds is not removed within fifteen (15) days from the date the notice is
delivered, the City may cause the same to be removed and a special assessment made
against such property for the costs of such removal plus a 10% administrative fee. Such
notice shall be served upon any occupant, if any, of the property wherein the litter and/or
weeds is located, by mail or by delivery of the Enforcement Officer, and shall be mailed
by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the owner of the property
at the address listed upon the real property assessment rolls of Bonneville County. Such
notice shall be deemed “delivered” upon its physical delivery and deposit into the United
States mail, as set forth above. If the owner or occupant fails to remove the litter and/or
weeds within the time specified in the notice, the City may order the removal of the litter
and/or weeds and cause a Notice of Special Assessment to be mailed to the owner of
the property in the manner set forth above. The Notice of Special Assessment shall state
the amount to be assessed on account of the costs of removing the litter and/or weeds,
the name and record address of the owner of the property to be assessed, and the legal
description of such property. Such notice shall also state that if the assessment is not
paid within sixty (60) days, the assessment will be sent to a collection agency. All
monies received on account of such special assessment shall be held by the City
Treasurer in a special fund to be applied to the payment of the costs of such removal
and the money shall be used for no other purpose except to reimburse the City for all
amounts expended in removing such litter and/or weeds or weeds.
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5-9-21: JUNK, KEEPING AND STORAGE OF RESTRICTED:
(A) NUISANCE: Unsheltered storage of old, unused, stripped, junked,
inoperable or unregistered, and other automobiles not in good and safe
operating condition, and any other vehicles, machinery, implements,
and/or equipment and personal property of any kind which is no longer
safely useable for the purposes for which it was manufactured, which are
hereinafter collectively described as "said personalty," for a period of thirty
(30) days or more (except in licensed junk yards) within the corporate
limits of the City, is hereby declared to be a nuisance and dangerous to
the public safety.
(B) ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE BY OWNERS: The owner, owners,
tenants, lessees, and/or occupants of any lot within the corporate limits of
the City upon which such storage is made, and also the owner, owners,
and/or lessees of said personalty involved in such storage (all of whom
are hereinafter referred to collectively as "owners"), shall jointly and
severally abate said nuisance by the prompt removal of said personalty
into completely enclosed buildings authorized to be used for such storage
purposes, if within the corporate limits of the City, or otherwise to remove
it to a location without said corporate limits.
(C) PENALTY FOR FAILURE OF OWNER TO ABATE SUCH NUISANCE:
Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed an
infraction and shall be subject to penalties prescribed for such violations
under section 1-4-2 of this code.
(D) ABATEMENT BY CITY: Whenever said owners fail to abate said
nuisance, then the City shall remove said personalty to a location of its
selection, the expenses therefore to be billed to said owners, jointly and
severally, said bill to be recoverable in a suit of law.
When said personalty has been removed and place in storage by the
City, as provided for herein, said personalty shall be sold by the City after
a lapse of time of not less than thirty (30) days. If the proceeds of such
sale are insufficient to pay the costs of abatement, said owners shall be
liable to the City for the balance of the costs, jointly and severally, to be
recoverable in a suit at law. If the proceeds are in excess of costs, the
balance shall be paid to said owners or deposited in the City Treasury for
their use.
5-9-22: CIVIL AND CRIMINAL REMEDIES: The prosecution of any civil remedy
in this Ordinance set forth shall not bar the prosecution of any criminal proceedings
herein provided.
5-9-23: VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES: Any violation of the provisions of this
chapter deemed to be an infraction shall be subject to penalties prescribed for such
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violations under section 1-4-2 of this code and Idaho Code 18-113A. Each day such
violation continues, shall be a separate violation, which shall be deemed as a separate
infraction and a citation may be issued therefore. Violations shall be assessed on a per
violation per day basis and may be assessed at increasing levels of infractions pursuant
to section 1-4-2 of this code.
Any violation of the provisions of this chapter deemed a misdemeanor shall be subject to
penalties prescribed for such violations under section 1-4-1 of this code and Idaho
Codes 18-113 and 18-303. Each day such violation continues, shall be a separate
violation, which shall be deemed as a separate misdemeanor and a citation may be
issued therefore. Violations shall be assessed on a per violation per day basis.
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