City Of Marathon

06/20/2026

Information relating to the City of Marathon Tree Ordinance.

TITLE VI
CHAPTER 3: TREES
ARTICLE 3 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
3.01
3.02
3.03
3.04
DEFINITION. For use in this chapter, "parking" means that part of the street, avenue or
highway in the City not covered by sidewalk and lying between the lot line and the curb
line; or, on unpaved streets, that part of the street, avenue or highway lying between the
lot line and that portion of the street usually traveled by vehicular traffic.
PLANTING RESTRICTIONS. No tree shall be planted in any parking or street except in
accordance with the following:
1. Alignment. All trees planted in any street shall be planted in the parking midway
between the outer line of the sidewalk and the curb. In the event a curb line is not
established, trees shall be planted on a line ten (10) feet from the property line.
2. Spacing. Trees may be planted on the parking if it is six (6) feet or more in width and
the tree is thirty (30) feet or more from an intersection. Trees should be planted thirty
(30) to forty (40) feet from each other. Trees planted under overhead utility wires and
on parkings with a width between six (6) and nine (9) feet shall be of a variety that
will be less than twenty-five (25) feet high at maturity. If it is at all possible, trees
should be planted inside the property lines and not between the sidewalk and the curb.
3. Prohibited Trees. These trees are prohibited from being planted on the public right-of-
way in the City: American Elm, Russian Olive, Boxelder, Catalpa, Weeping Birch,
Willow, Green Ash, Mulberry, Bolleana. Poplar, Silver Maple, Tree of Heaven,
Lombardy Poplar, Austrian Pine, Hybrid Poplar, Black Cottonwood, White Poplar,
Jack Pine or any fruit-bearing tree.
4. Tree Topping. Tree topping is not an accepted form of proper pruning. No public trees
that are not under utility lines shall be topped.
DUTY TO TRIM TREES. The owner or agent of the abutting property shall keep the trees
on, or overhanging the street, trimmed so that all branches will be at least fifteen (15) feet
above the surface of the street and ten (10) feet above the sidewalks. If the abutting
property owner fails to trim the trees, the City may serve notice on the abutting property
owner requiring that such action be taken within five (5) days. If such action is not taken
within that time, the City may perform the required action and assess the costs against the
abutting property for collection in the same manner as a property tax.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[2c, d & el)
TRIMMING TREES TO BE SUPERVISED. Except as allowed in Section 3.03, it is
unlawful for any person to trim or cut any tree in a street or public place unless the work is
done under the supervision of the City.
373
City of Marathon, Iowa 2020 Municipal Code of Ordinances
TITLE VI
3.05 INSPECTION AND REMOVAL. The Council shall inspect or cause to be inspected any
trees or shrubs in the City reported or suspected to be dead, diseased or damaged, and such
trees and shrubs shall be subject to the following:
1. City Property. If it is determined that any such condition exists on any public
property, including the strip between the curb and the lot line of private property,
the Council may cause such condition to be corrected by treatment or removal. The
Council may also order the removal of any trees on the streets of the City which
interfere with the making of improvements or with travel thereon.
2. Private Property. If it is determined with reasonable certainty that any such
condition exists on private property and that danger to other trees or to adjoining
property or passing motorists or pedestrians is imminent, the Council shall notify by
certified mail the owner, occupant or person in charge of such property to correct
such condition by treatment or removal within fourteen (14) days of said
notification. If such owner, occupant or person in charge of said property fails to
comply within fourteen (14) days of receipt of notice, the Council may cause the
condition to be corrected and the cost assessed against the property.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3b & h)
374

06/18/2026

06/12/2026

Reminder of the Abandoned and Junked Vehicles and Machinery ordinance for the City of Marathon.

CHAPTER 5: ABANDONED AND JUNKED VEHICLES AND MACHINERY



ARTICLE 6 - JUNK AND JUNK VEHICLES

6.01 DEFINITIONS. For use in this chapter, the following terms are defined:

1. ENCLOSED STRUCTURE. Means any structure or portion thereof built for the enclosure of property, containing a roof and having exterior walls of the structure or portion thereof constructed in such a manner as to obscure from any street or adjacent property any contents thereof and being of a permanent nature.

2. JUNK. Means all old or scrap copper, brass, lead or any other non-ferrous metal; old or discarded rope, rags, batteries, paper, trash, rubber, debris, waste or used lumber, or salvaged wood; dismantled appliances, vehicles, machinery or parts of such vehicles, iron, steel or other old or scrap ferrous materials; old or discarded glass, tinware, plastic or old or discarded household goods or hardware; storing or permitting the open storage of used or unused or discarded building materials such as windows, doors, siding, shingles or other building materials for a period of thirty (30) or more days; noncurrent registered boat, pontoon, canoe, jet ski, or similar watercraft or with no current registration stickers attached to the same. Neatly stacked firewood located on a side yard or near a rear yard is not considered junk.

3. JUNK VEHICLE. Junk vehicle” means any vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer or piece of machinery stored within the corporate limits of Marathon, Iowa, unlicensed for the current year as required by any law, or legally placed in storage with the County Treasurer, or which because of any one of the following characteristics, constitutes a threat to the public health, welfare and/or safety:

A. Broken Glass. Any vehicle with a broken or cracked windshield, window, headlight or taillight, or any other cracked or broken glass.

B. Broken, Loose or Missing Part. Any vehicle with a broken, loose or missing fender, door, bumper, hood, steering wheel, muffler, or trunk lid.

C. Habitat for Nuisance Animals or Insects. Any vehicle which has become the habitat for rats, mice, or snakes, or any other vermin, rodents, animals or insects.

D. Flammable Fuel. Any vehicle which contains gasoline or any other flammable fuel.

E. Inoperable. Any vehicle not in safe and current operating condition or road ready for use on any roadways. Any motor vehicle which lacks an engine or transmission, or one or more wheels or other structural parts, or having one or more flat tires, rendering said motor vehicle totally inoperable for safe use on public roadways, or which cannot be moved under its own power (incapable of both forward and reverse movement in the manner in which it was designed), or has not been used as an operating vehicle for a period of thirty (30) days or more.

F. Defective or Obsolete Condition. Any other vehicle which, because of its defective or obsolete condition, in any other way constitutes a threat to the public health and safety.

G. Uninsured. Any vehicle not insured and not having proof of financial liability coverage card as required under Section 321.20(B) (or any subsequently adopted replacement provision) of the Code of Iowa.

H. Parked Vehicles. Any vehicle, trailer, and or machinery parked on any private or public property for an extended period of time, which allows weeds or grass to partially cover it or grow up around it.



4. VEHICLE". Means every device in, upon, or by which a person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway or street, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks, and includes without limitation a motor vehicle, automobile, truck, motorcycle, tractor, buggy, wagon, farm machinery, atv, utv, boat or utility trailer, semi-trailer, camper, camper trailer, motorhome, or any combination thereof.

5. “SEMITRAILER”. Means every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.

6. “STORE”. Means an inoperable vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or junk left upon private property for thirty (30) days or more.

7. “TRAILER”. Means every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.

8. “UNLICENSED VEHICLE”. Means any vehicle which is required to be licensed if it is operated on a public street or highway, but which is not displaying a valid and current license plates and registration sticker to the rear plate on the vehicle as required by law for use on public roads.

Mere licensing or placing vehicle in storage with the County Treasurer of such vehicle shall not constitute a defense to the finding that the vehicle is a junk vehicle.

6.02 JUNK AND JUNK VEHICLES PROHIBITED. It is unlawful for any person to store, accumulate, or allow to remain on any private property within the corporate limits of the City any junk or junk vehicle for more than 30 days.



6.03 JUNK AND JUNK VEHICLES A NUISANCE. It is hereby declared that any junk or junk vehicle located upon private property for more than 30 days, unless excepted by Section 6.04, constitutes a threat to the health and safety of the citizens and is a nuisance within the meaning of Section 657.1 of the Code of Iowa. If any junk or junk vehicle is kept upon private property in violation hereof, the owner of or person occupying the property upon which it is located shall be prima facie liable for said violation.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12(3a))

6.04 EXCEPTIONS. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to a junk motor vehicle or junk machinery stored within:

1. Structure. A garage or other enclosed structure; or

2. Salvage Yard. An auto salvage yard or junk yard lawfully operated within the City.

3. Held for storage or sale upon property, not in a restricted residence district, owned or controlled by a licensed motor vehicle dealer, body shop, repair shop, or vehicle towing company regularly engaged in commercial sales, repair, transportation or storage of vehicles. Grass, weeds, vegetation shall not be allowed to partially cover or grow up around a vehicle, machinery, or junk items. The property shall not be in a condition or create a habitat which may attract or harbor rats, mice, snakes, or any other vermin, rodents, animals or insects. Storage of vehicles and the premises itself shall be maintained in an orderly and neat condition and safe to the public.

4. Held for storage, sale or disposition by a governmental agency.

6.05 NOTICE TO ABATE. Upon discovery of any junk or junk vehicle located upon private property in violation of Section 8.03, the City may within five (5) days initiate abatement procedures as outlined in Title III, Article 9 Nuisance Abatement Procedures of this Code of Ordinances.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3a])

05/27/2026

City of Marathon Mowing Requirements
of Properties

Any property within the City of Marathon, whether vacated or non-vacated, is required to be mowed any time the grass and or weeds reach a height of 8” or more.

Any property which is not mowed by the time when the grass and or weeds reach a height of 8”, may be mowed by the City or their agents, and a charge of $75.00 per hour for such mowing, plus a surcharge of $100.00 will be charged to the property owner. Any property owners who fail to mow their properties, thus allowing the same to be mowed by the City or their agents, and who do not provide payment for mowing as required will be assessed by the City for such costs, which will be collected in the same manner as general property taxes.

Annual publication of this ordinance will serve as notice to the property owners. Any billings for mowing done by the city or their agents are to be sent by regular mail and are payable within 30 days of the billing date.

05/18/2026

City of Marathon

Notice: Fuel Availability Update
Due to storm damage sustained last night, the gas pumps are currently down. There is no fuel available in Marathon at gas pumps at this time until further notice.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience.
City of Marathon

05/04/2026

CITY OF MARATON
PRICING FOR MAY 16 2026 CITY WIDE CLEANUP
TV’s All Sizes - $25.00 each
TV-Console or Projection $35.00 each
Car Tires - $12 each
Appliances - $12 each
Mattresses - $10
Couches, recliners - $10 each
Chair, wooden or plastic - $5 each
Wooden furniture - $10

05/01/2026

Our annual Cleanup Day is coming up on May 16. This is a good time to get rid of items that are just laying around. Items may be set out by 7:00 AM at the curb on May 16. WE WANT TO STRESS THERE WILL BE NO BAGS OF GARBAGE PICKED UP. Clean up days are for junk only, no GARBAGE. PLEASE NOTE WE WILL NOT ACCEPT PAINT, BATTERIES, OR PROPANE TANKS, SHINGLES, CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS, LUMBER, ROCKS, BRICKS, CEMENT, GARBAGE BAGS OR TOXIC MATERIALS. Please have everything in separate piles from the above list. Grow Garbage will provide to the city a list of all items that are picked up at the curb on Saturday morning and you will be billed for those items on your June 1 city bill.

NOTE: The item list and prices will be posted early next week.

05/01/2026

You may burn yard waste ONLY in your backyards beginning May 1 until June 21 depending on the weather. The wind must be 10 miles per hour or less and no other burn bans in place. The fire must be attended at all times.

04/28/2026

Public, Works reminder.

Hydrants will be flushed at 10 AM today April 28 and tomorrow April 29.
A notification was out last week at the post office and the community center. This is your friendly reminder..

04/17/2026

Public Works!