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1. What are the fees for high grass and weed violations corrected by the city's contractor?

Contractor rates for 2022 are as follows:

• $65.00/hr for routine mowing/trimming, including clearing and removal
• $105.00/hr for bush hog mowing, including clearing and removal of all clippings
• $80.00/hr for maintenance of unmanaged vegetation and removal of noxious weeds and other vegetation, including clearing and removal of all items

Violators are charged the contractor’s hourly rate plus:

• $75 for the first mowing/removal in a calendar year
• $150 for the second mowing/removal in a calendar year
• $250 for the third and subsequent mowing/removals in a calendar year

2. What are the high grass and weed regulations?

Codified Ordinances Section 553.01 says, Between March 1 and December 31 of each year, no person or entity which is the owner of record of any parcel, lot or land within the City corporation limits shall permit any grass over eight inches, noxious weeds, or untended, rank, and unmanaged growth of vegetation. 

3. How are high grass and weed violators notified?

Notice is posted on the property in violation and/or mailed to the owner and occupant of the property once per calendar year. If the violation is not corrected within seven days of notice, the City’s contractor will mow, remove noxious weeds, and remove rank and unmanaged growth. Please note that notices are mailed once per calendar year. Subsequent violations within the year will be mowed by the City contractor without further notice provided to the owner or occupant.

4. Are there different high grass rules for vacant lots?

• Residential zoned lots must be entirely maintained.
• Commercial/industrial lots adjacent to 2 or more residential-use lots must be entirely maintained.
• Commercial/industrial lots adjacent to less than 2 residential-use lots must be mowed twice per year, once between May 1 and July 31, and once between August 1 and October 31, in addition to maintaining 25 feet from each edge of pavement at all times.

5. Can I get a waiver from the high grass and weed regulations?

Waivers may be granted in cases where strict application would result in an undue hardship or practical difficulty. Waivers will not be accepted on the grounds of convenience or profit, and under no circumstance will the City waive the requirements to remove noxious weeds. An owner may request a waiver from the Code Enforcement Officer in cases such as, but not limited to:

• Steep terrain
• Wetlands
• Wooded areas.