Columbia Landscape management requirements ordinance (§ 11-252)

(a) The following requirements related to landscape management on residential and/or commercial properties apply to lawns, yards, gardens, community gardens, urban agricultural crops, agricultural crops, vegetable gardens, native and ornamental landscapes and shall be met to prevent a property from becoming a public nuisance:

(1) All turf grass and turf weeds must be mowed and trimmed to prevent these plants from attaining a height of more than twelve (12) inches.

(2) All properties must be maintained to prevent or mitigate against vermin harborage.

(3) All properties must be maintained to control nuisance plants or noxious weeds.

(4) All properties must be maintained to prevent the growth of vegetation that causes a safety hazard by obstructing the line of sight of a motor vehicle driver, bicyclist or pedestrian at a street intersection.

(5) All properties must be maintained to prevent the growth of vegetation which could interfere with the passage of a motor vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian on any public right-of-way.

(6) All properties must be maintained to prevent or mitigate the growth of vegetation from exceeding property boundaries.

(b) Exceptions:

(1) Managed native landscapes which may or may not have gone to seed or developed to maturity are permitted provided that the native landscape meets all requirements in section 11-252(a) of this Code, non-native invasive plants are controlled, and dead native vegetation is removed annually by March 21st.

(2) All urban agricultural crops, agricultural crops, community gardens and vegetable gardens are permitted provided that they meet all requirements in section 11-252(a) of this Code and that all dead crops are removed after harvest.

(3) Ornamental plant landscapes are permitted provided that they meet all requirements in section 11- 252(a) of this Code and that all dead ornamental plants are removed annually by November 1st.