A lot of homeowners take their lawn maintenance very seriously. They take the time to make sure the grass is cut on a regular basis and receives a healthy amount of water.
Yet it seems in some communities, taking care of the lawn is more than just a chore.
It’s the law.
The city of Conneaut, Ohio has a law on the books requiring residents to mow their grass. Apparently the law wasn’t tough enough. Now the city council has adopted some punitive measures.
First-time offenders of the lawn mowing law will get a misdemeanor and have to pay $150 fine. If it happens again, the punishment is a fourth-degree misdemeanor. That comes with a penalty of up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.
Residents say lawns at vacant homes are a big part of the problem. Either way, city leaders want to make sure the grass does not get out of control and become an eyesore.
The idea of penalizing people for improper lawn care is not new. Two years ago, leaders in the town of Massapequa Park, New York imposed big fines for people who failed to mow the lawn. Some first-time offenders faced a fine of $1,000. Repeat offenders would be looking at fines up to $10,000 and some jail time.
The mayor of Massapequa Park said junk vehicles, excessive litter, graffiti and unfinished construction were also subject to fines.
Officials of the village on Long Island say unkempt yards bring down property values and can cause a health and public safety hazard.
Of course, there are some ways to avoid the hassle and embarrassment of being fined for bad grass. Take proper care of your lawn. It will make your home and yard look better. And, in some cases, it’s your civic duty.