High Weeds Complaints

File a complaint online.

The Health District regulates high grass and weeds in developed residential areas for the purpose of tick control during the tick breeding season, which occurs during the warm months of the year.  The owner of a lot in a developed residential area which is accessible to the public is required to cut grass and weeds on the lot between May 1st and October 1st if exceeding two feet in overall height.  High grass and weeds complaints are accepted starting May 1st, and will not be accepted after October 1st.

High grass and weeds complaints are valid if grass and weeds on the lot are over two feet in overall height, the property is in a developed residential area, and the lot is unfenced.  If grass and weeds on a lot are below two feet in height, if the lot is in a business district or a rural area, is fenced, or access is otherwise restricted, then the Health District can take no action.  Patches of grass and weeds, such as untrimmed grass or weeds growing along a fence are not regarded as a health nuisance as long as the overall height is below two feet.

High grass and weeds on a lot that is fenced does not create a health nuisance because of restricted access.   When access to a lot is restricted members of the general public will not be able to pick up ticks on the lot, and therefore there is no health nuisance issue.  There is no requirement that gates must be secured, or that there be no openings in the fence.  Persons who trespass on a lot with restricted access do so at their own risk.

If the property is not in a developed residential area the Health District can take no action.  “Developed residential area” means a subdivision or an area limited to residential property with a high concentration of dwellings.  The definition would not apply to isolated dwellings, to small groups of dwellings in agricultural areas, or to dwellings located within a business district.  Zoning is not considered as a factor when determining whether or not a particular lot is located within a developed residential area.

When the Health District issues orders to cut grass on an occupied property, but the grass has not been cut within the time limit specified the case will be referred to the Board of Health.  If orders from the Board produce no result the case will be referred to the County Prosecutors' Office for further action.

When the Health District issues orders to cut high grass on an unoccupied property, but the grass has not been cut, the case will be referred to the Board.  If the grass has not been cut despite orders from the Board a citation will be issued requiring the owner to appear before the Board at the next Board of Health meeting and show cause why the Board of Health should not proceed to abate the nuisance.

If the owner does not attend the meeting the Board will begin abatement proceedings. The Health District will contact the Engineers Office to cut the grass.  Yards that are 1 acre or less in size will be billed a minimum charge of $97.52.  Larger areas will be billed hourly labor and equipment charges for all time over a two hour base minimum.  The Health District will pay the bill at the next Board of Health meeting and will certify the expense to the County Auditor to place on the tax duplicate as a lien on the property.