Property owners must do clean-up

Following a public hearing on July 27, City Council approved the adoption of Ordinance No. 525, which amends the Sisters Municipal Code. The ordinance allocates the responsibility for right-of-way maintenance of a property within the City to the adjacent property owner.

The ordinance is a change from how rights-of-way have been maintained in the past, with the City Public Works department previously performing the maintenance. Accumulation of debris and junk, overgrown vegetation and noxious weeds, and animal excrement must be removed by the property owner.

An active right-of-way compliance program can significantly reduce noxious weeds, which can impact native vegetation and create fire hazards as they dry out. Having the property owner, instead of City crews, maintain the public right-of-way adjacent to their property is expected to result in reduced taxpayer expense.

The full text of the ordinance is available by contacting City Recorder Kerry Prosser at 541-549-6022. For more information or questions, contact City Code Compliance Officer Jacob Smith at 541-323-5214.