Noxious Weeds

We have seen an extreme year for dandelions and other noxious weeds. Lets all work together to help keep Stevensville free from noxious weeds. If we receive a complaint we will investigate and take the appropriate action if needed. Please see below for the towns code.    Thank you, Mayor Steve Gibson

ARTICLE II. - NOXIOUS WEEDS[2]

Footnotes:

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State Law reference— Power of municipality to define and abate noxious weeds, MCA 7-22-4101.

Sec. 14-33. - Definition.

The term "noxious weeds" means all rank vegetable growth of every kind and nature including, but not limited to, dandelions and all weeds known as Canadian Thistle, Scotch Bull Thistle, Russian Thistle, Sow Thistle, Quack Grass, Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula or Euphorbia virgato), Field Bindweed, Russian Knapweed (Centaurea picris), Hoary Cress (Lapidium draba, Lapidium repens, and Hunemophysa pubesens), Dodder, or any similar unwanted vegetation or grass over eight inches in height.

(Code 1973, § 7.08.010)

Sec. 14-34. - Prohibition.

No owner or owners of any lot, place or area within the municipality, or agent of such owner or owners, shall permit noxious weeds on such lot, place or area and one-half of any road or street lying next to such property or abutting thereon. Corner lots are responsible for both sides of lots abutting a street or road. The existence of such noxious weeds shall constitute a public nuisance.

(Code 1973, § 7.08.020)

Sec. 14-35. - Notice to destroy and/or remove.

(a)Whenever noxious weeds are found to exist upon any premises within the municipality, the municipality shall notify by registered mail the owner of the property, or, if no person can be located, the person in control of the premises.

(b)The notice shall state that the existence of such noxious weeds constitutes a public nuisance and shall order the owner or owners or person in charge to exterminate or cut and remove all such weeds on any lot, place or area within the municipal limits, and upon one-half of any adjacent street or road. The notice shall further inform such property owners, or their agents, that, upon their failure to exterminate or remove such weeds within seven days of the registered notice, the municipality may proceed to file a criminal complaint against said persons in the city court.

(c)In case personal notice by registered mail cannot be delivered, then the notice shall be published two consecutive days in a prominently displayed advertisement in the official newspaper of the county. The last date of publication shall not be less than five days prior to the date upon which the municipality shall order the weeds exterminated or cut and removed from such property.

(Code 1973, § 7.08.030)

Sec. 14-36. - Action upon noncompliance with order.

Neglect or refusal of any owner or owners or agent thereof to exterminate or remove noxious weeds growing, lying or located upon the property of the owner or upon one-half of any road or street lying next to the lands after the time period specified in the notice shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as provided in section 1-8.

(Code 1973, § 7.08.040)