Abatements (Vegetation Control)

Vegetation encroaching onto streets and sidewalks is becoming a major problem in Oak Harbor. City ordinances state that the abutting property owner is responsible for maintaining all vegetation up to the improved right-of-way, i.e. street. Many citizens do not maintain this vegetation until they receive abatement letters from the city. As the vegetation encroaches onto streets, sidewalks or traffic signing, citizens call in with complaints. A Citizen Action Request is generated and a person inspects the area of the complaint. This inspection usually generates an abatement letter to the adjacent property owner requesting that the offending vegetation be either removed or trimmed.