ORDINANCE NO. B-244
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 70,
ARTICLE II – DANGEROUS TREES
AND NOXIOUS WEEDS
An ordinance to amend Sections 70-22 through 70-29 of the Code of Ordinances, City of St. Louis, Michigan, to provide for the direct certification of costs incurred by the City in the cutting and removal of noxious weeds and vegetation to the property tax roll, and to clarify lien procedures.
THE CITY ORDAINS:
Section 1. Amendment of Section 70-22 through 70-29.
Sections 70-22 through 70-29 are hereby repealed in their entirety and replaced with the following:
Sec. 70-22. Abatement of noxious weeds by City; lien.
(a) If the owner, occupant, or party in control of any lot or parcel of land fails to destroy or cut noxious weeds or grass in violation of this article, the City Manager or designee may cause such weeds or grass to be cut or destroyed.
(b) The costs incurred by the City in performing this work, together with any administrative fee established by City Council resolution, shall be billed to the owner of record of the property.
Sec. 70-23. Notice of delinquent charges.
(a) A statement of charges shall be mailed by first-class mail to the owner of record at the address shown on the last City tax roll.
(b) Such statement shall notify the owner that the charges must be paid within 30 days of the mailing date, and that if not paid, the amount due shall be certified to the City Assessor and entered upon the next property tax roll as a lien against the premises, collectible in the same manner as City taxes.
Sec. 70-24. Lien for costs.
Any costs and charges not paid within 30 days of notice shall become a lien upon the property benefitted or serviced, and the City Clerk shall certify such delinquent charges to the City Assessor, who shall enter them upon the next tax roll against the property. Such lien shall have the same priority and be collected in the same manner as general property taxes, subject to all applicable interest and penalties.
Sec. 70-25. Alternative collection.
In addition to the lien authorized in this article, the City may seek collection of such costs through civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 2. Severability.
If any portion of this ordinance is found invalid, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.
Section 3. Effective Date.
This ordinance shall become effective [30] days after publication as provided by the City Charter.
Passed and approved by the City Council of the City of St. Louis, Michigan, I hereby certify that the above and foregoing Ordinance, known as Ordinance B-244 of the City of St. Louis, Michigan, was adopted at a regular meeting held on the 21st day of October, 2025.