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Chewelah
The state noxious weed
laws and our county weed list
apply throughout the county (with the exception
of federal lands). In addition, the city of Chewelah
has the following city
ordinance that applies to weeds, whether or not they are on the noxious weed
list:
Chewelah Municipal Code, Chapter 8.08, Nuisances:
Section 8.08.010 Definitions (Summary)
"Public Nuisance" means a thing,
act, omission to act, occupation, or use of property which: Annoys,
injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of the public.
Section 8.08.020 Nuisances designated
Each of the following conditions, unless
otherwise permitted by law, is declared to constitute a public nuisance:
A. All noxious
weeds as defined at RCW 17.10.080 and .090 or as amended and other rank
growth upon public or private property which shall be permitted to go to seed
and contaminate adjacent or other properties or create a fire hazard.
8.08.040 Prohibited conduct
It is unlawful for any responsible person or
owner to create, permit, maintain, suffer, carry on or allow, upon any
premises, any of the acts or things declared by this chapter to be a public
nuisance.
Other applicable sections of
the city ordinance (summarized here)
include:
8.08.050 Voluntary correction
(Summary)
If the enforcement officer determines that a
public nuisance is occurring. The enforcement officer shall pursue a
reasonable attempt to secure voluntary correction by contacting the person
responsible. A voluntary agreement may be entered into between the person
responsible for the public nuisance and the city.
8.08.060 Notice (Summary)
Upon finding that a public nuisance exists,
the enforcement officer shall take such action as is reasonably necessary to
cause the nuisance to be abated.
8.08.110 Violation-Penalty (Summary)
Any person who knowingly obstructs, impedes or
interferes with the city or its agents, or with the person responsible for the
abatement in the performance of this title, is guilty of a misdemeanor and
upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand
dollars, or by imprisonment in jail not to exceed ninety days.
The monetary penalty for each day or
part thereof the public nuisance is permitted to continue after the date set
for abatement by the enforcement officer shall be as follows:
1. First day: one hundred dollars.
2. Second day: two hundred dollars.
3. Third day: three hundred
dollars.
4. Fourth day: four hundred dollars
5. Each additional day beyond four
days: five hundred dollars per day
How do you know if that weed is your responsibility to
control or the city’s?
The following "rule of thumb" is provided by the city:
Right-of-way widths are generally sixty (60)
or eighty (80) feet for city streets and twenty (20) feet for alleyways.
Maintenance of rights-of ways is the responsibility of the City (although most
residents maintain them as part of their front yards).
Weeds to Watch out For in
and Around Chewelah-
Click here for a
short list and pictures of weeds you may find in your yard, alley or lot.
Whom to contact for weed
concerns that meet the above ordinance criteria:
City of Chewelah
PO Box 258
Chewelah, WA 99109
509.935.8311
Attn: Denise Smith
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