By Caden Senn

The city of Burnet recently adopted an ordinance to combat overgrown grass and weeds, setting new guidelines on how quickly the city can take action on violations.

The new ordinance, approved by the Burnet City Council during a meeting on Tuesday, July 28, allows the city to step in to mow grass over 12 inches tall after giving property owners seven days prior notice to correct the violation.

After doing the necessary work, the city would charge the cost back to the property owner, along with an administrative cost of $250 and a fine depending on the number of previous offenses. If a property owner does not pay back the fees, a lien may be placed on the property.

Previously, the city had to go through a months-long court process to get approval to cut grass that was 12-48 inches tall. Burnet City Attorney Habib Erkan told councilors that the new ordinance would correct that pitfall.

“Now, we don’t really have a tool that says the city can step in and mow somebody’s grass if they don’t do so,” he said during Tuesday’s meeting. “This ordinance will give us that tool. A code compliance officer will send a letter, and if there’s no action within seven days, the city can go in and cut the grass for the landowner and then they’ll charge them a fee.”

Additionally, violations occurring within 1,000 feet of a school or daycare, weeds taller than 48 inches that could endanger a person, and a second or subsequent violation of the same nature can now be dealt with immediately without notice. Assistant City Manager Keith McBurnett was authorized to handle these cases.

A closer look at the updated code is as follows:

• Any grass or weeds above 12 inches in height can be cut by the city if action is not taken seven days after proper notification (previously, only grass above 48 inches could be cut immediately, with any action on grass above 12 inches needing to go through court approval)

• The owner of a property must fix any public nuisance within seven calendar days after the date the notice is mailed

• If the owner fails to comply within seven days, the city will take action on the violation and charge back the cost of work with an added administrative cost of $250 and a violation fee

• Violation fees will be a minimum of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second, and $300 for the third

• The maximum fine is $2,000

• The following cases are allowed to be corrected immediately without notice: violations within 1,000 feet of a public or private elementary school, middle school, high school, or daycare property lines; weeds taller than 48 inches in height that are an immediate danger to the health, life, or safety of any person; a second or subsequent violation of the same kind or nature which occurs on or before the first anniversary of the date of notice of the previous violation

• Assistant City Manager Keith McBurnett will have the authority to handle immediate abatements, with City Manager David Vaughn acting as the appealing authority

caden@thepicayune.com