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Grass or weeds over one foot tall can mean fines for Lawrence landowners, under the city's weed ordinance. The Neighborhood Resources Department is responsible for enforcement.
Lawn-mowing code targets overgrowth
By Amanda O'Toole
aotoole@kansan.com
kansan staff writer
Rusty Wright uses his red riding lawn mower every day. The Lawrence junior said he took pride in the 15 lawns his business, Wright Services, maintained. He said neglected lawns were nothing more than eyesores for the city.
And other members of the community seem to agree with Wright. The Neighborhood Resources Department receives daily complaints about unruly lawns, is backed by the Neighborhood Resources Weed Ordinance, and has the right to mow an overgrown yard at the landowner's expense.
Any grass or weeds that reach more than a foot in height violate the ordinance.
The complaint-based organization has two full-time inspectors on staff who notify landowners of any violations. If the problem is not taken care of within 10 days, the city will hire one of four contractors to maintain the lawn and will send a bill to the landowner.
Wright said 10 days was too long. He said the city should take action before the grass reaches an extreme height.
"It makes our city look bad," he said. "I think a lot of those people don't care a lot about their lawns."
In addition to aesthetic purposes, the ordinance serves to keep rodent, insect and snake infestation down to a minimum.
Unruly lawns can also be traffic hazards if they impair vision or block signs. Both residential and commercial property are subject to the code.
MAKING A COMPLAINT
Barry Walthall, Lawrence code enforcement manager, said residences can make complaints at any time on their Web site www.lawrence.neighres.org, or by calling 832-7700.
Jerry Freeman, operational assistant at Earl May Garden and Nursery Center, 3200 Iowa St., said any yard that had growth over a foot tall was a case of obvious neglect.
When lawns grow to such an extreme height, it is important to bag or rake up clippings so they don't kill the lawn, he said.
He said an ideal lawn should be kept to 2.5 to 3 inches.
Bill Harmon Jr., president of the Landlords of Lawrence, Inc., said the majority of landowners left lawn responsibility in the hands of tenants.
He said he had not had any problems with tenants violating the policy, and landlords should be responsible and aware of the condition of their yards.
"Ultimately, the fine goes back to the landlord. We should be driving by and checking out our lawns," he said.
Wright said, many people may not have lawn mowers but should find a way to take care of their lawns.
"If a person is just lazy they should foot the cost," he said.
— Edited by John Scheirman