SB359 Summary

• Applies only to the City of Madison and defines overgrown grass or weeds exceeding 12 inches in height as a public nuisance when they pose health, safety, fire, or aesthetic hazards.

• Requires the enforcing official to serve written notice on property owners ordering abatement within 14-28 days, with the option for owners to request a hearing before an administrative official within 5 days.

• Authorizes the city to perform abatement work itself or contract for it if the owner fails to comply, then assess all costs (labor, equipment, materials, administrative, legal, and advertising expenses) against the property.

• Allows the city to collect abatement costs through a "weed lien" added to the property's regular ad valorem tax bill, collected and foreclosed on using the same procedures as ordinary property taxes.

• Provides that weed liens survive property redemptions and tax sales, meaning subsequent purchasers take the property subject to the outstanding weed lien.