Mowing Season Reminder
CODE ENFORCEMENT - MOWING SEASON REMINDER
Overgrown grass is one of the most common citizen complaint the City receives. What is the City policy for complaints and violations on overgrown grass? Russellville's City ordinance has a maximum height limit for grass. Grass can not be over 12 inches in height or it is in violation of the City Ordinance. We recognize that overgrown grass is a time sensitive violation which means, the longer the complaint is allowed to be in violation, the worse the property appearance becomes and the more public safety is compromised.
To address this issue, Code Enforcement is required to take the following steps:
Once we receive the citizen's complaint or a City code official sees the overgrown grass violation first hand, we immediately contact the renter or property owner that the overgrown violation is present on the property and needs to be corrected in 7 days.
On the 8th day, the code official will inspect to see if the property is in compliance.
If the property is in compliance at inspection, the case is closed. If the overgrown grass violation is still present, the City will issue a citation and call the City contractor to mow the grass within 3 days.
The property in violation is posted with a sign that the grass will be mowed within 3 days of the date the citation is issued.
The citation for overgrown grass carries the following fines:
1st Offense - $50.00 plus mowing charge
2nd Offense - $100.00 plus mowing charge
3rd Offense - $200.00 plus mowing charge
A lien may be filed on the property for the fine and mowing fees.
To avoid being cited mow your yard below the 12 inch maximum height allowance. Mow your yard on a regular basis. Make arrangements to have your yard mowed when you are away from an extended period of time.
We hope this information will help you avoid complaints and violations being placed on your property. Be safe this spring and summer, and we hope that you have a fun and wonderful time this year in the outdoors.
Thank You,
CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION
