City Noxious Vegetation Nuisance Policies Clarified

Now that spring has sprung, it is inevitable that grass and other vegetation will be growing all over town.

The city occasionally receives inquiries regarding its nuisance policies, especially as they pertain to noxious vegetation. This release is intended to provide clarification and information on those policies, which are based on Aurora Municipal Code Section 8.08.130. It can be accessed through the link below:

https://library.municode.com/or/aurora/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=T...

Since there is no official code enforcement officer on city staff, those duties are handled by the City Recorder. The process for code enforcement is driven by complaints from citizens.

Upon receiving a complaint, either in writing or via telephone, the City Recorder does an on-site visit to verify it. Every effort is made to contact the property owner directly by telephone or email if possible. If compliance is not obtained through those methods, a letter is sent to the property owner.

The letter notifies the property owner that they have 10 days to remove the nuisance. If that is not done, the city can issue a citation for violation of the code requiring an appearance before its Municipal Judge. Failure to abate a nuisance warrants the imposition of a $500 per day fine.

The city can also abate the nuisance by hiring a crew and billing the property owner for those costs. If that cost is not paid, the city can file a lien against the property to recover it.

Ultimately, the city would like to work with property owners and neighbors to resolve any complaints and issues in a constructive manner. There are several landscaping companies that are licensed to do business in the city, and they are as follows:

Aurora Landscape

Earthworks Landscape Services, Inc.

Grover’s Landscape Services, Inc.

Jaquez Landscape Maintenance LLC

Living Color Landscape-Nursery

Manny’s Landscape Maintenance

M & S Yard Service

NW Evergreen Lawn Care and Landscape Maintenance LLC

ProGrass Home and Landscape Improvements

Samaniega Landscape Maintenance, LLC

Companies will be added to this list as they obtain business licenses from the city. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact city hall at 503-678-1283.