Photo by JulieLG.

The beginning of May not only means the start of the city’s crackdown on littering, but it also brings about the return of the city’s regulations regarding lawn work. As usual, the District’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs will be keeping an eye out for property owners who let their lawns get out of control starting this Sunday.

Granted, ten inches isn’t an incredibly tough regulation, but it seems like there’s always someone in most residential neighborhoods who don’t abide by the rule. (For example: the city issued nearly 1,400 citations to those who couldn’t get their yards under control in 2007.) And those who don’t can be subject to some fairly hefty fines:

District regulations prohibit property owners (commercial and residential) from allowing grass and weeds on their premises to grow more than 10 inches in height. Failing to adhere to the rule could lead to fines of more than $500. Between May 1 and October 31, DCRA can immediately mow properties and issues fines.

DCRA will be hanging “door knocker” reminders at properties where the grass height is getting close to the threshhold to try to encourage voluntary compliance before the city has to intervene.

Since most people don’t carry a measuring tape on their person, DCRA also notes that any of the below are reasonable reasons to report an lawn:

  • Exceeds more than 10 inches in height, is untended, or creates a dense area of shrubbery that is a detriment to the health, safety and welfare of the public;
  • Creates a harbor (including hiding places for persons), or provides a place to conceal refuse or trash, regardless of height;
  • Develops into deposits, or accumulation of, refuse or trash;
  • Harbors rodents and vermin or provides a refuge for snakes, rats or other rodents;
  • Creates an unpleasant or noxious odor;
  • Constitutes a fire hazard; or
  • Contains grass or weeds that are dead and diseased.

The program depends quite a bit on tips from residents — if you see anyone in violation of the rules, make sure to get the exact address (and a photo, if possible) and call the Department at (202) 442-9557, email them or send them a tweet. Most of the time, the threat of a fine or a cleaning bill from the city is enough to get the lawn tidied up.

Filed Under: dcra, fines, lawns, mowing, neighborhoods, summer, weeds,