As Erie trudges its way through the dog days of summer, mowing the lawn can be a tall order. Still, residents should make sure to be cautious of how tall their grass and weeds actually get.
The Erie Bureau of Building Standards and Safety, formerly known as the Bureau of Code Enforcement, has strict rules for maintaining the height of grass and weeds across the city, which residents must follow or risk facing penalties.
How high can my lawn be in the city of Erie?
Guidelines for lawn care are outlined in city ordinance 1129.03 and are grouped together with other “Quality of Life (QOL) Violations.” The ordinance states that “all premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches.” It defines weeds as “all grasses, annual plants, and vegetation.”
The ordinance does not apply to cultivated flowers, gardens, trees or shrubs, meaning those with intentionally planted and maintained bushes and other plants can let them grow taller.
What are the fines or consequences for tall grass?
Residents who violate the 10-inch rule can be issued a fine of $100, according to ordinance 1129.09. Violators may first receive a compliance notice, but are only given one per calendar year.
“Our goal is to always educate first when appropriate, while also taking the necessary enforcement action when needed,” said Mary Wassell, media and public relations coordinator for the city of Erie mayor’s office. “At the end of the day, we are happy to work with residents to address concerns and find solutions, because ultimately our priority is keeping Erie safe and clean for all.”
When a fine is issued, it must be paid within 10 days of the date of service of the ticket or the person will be given a citation, which means they must also appear in front of a judge in the Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court.
Repeat offenders or those with violations the city deems “egregious” can also be issued a citation. Violators would also be responsible for however much it costs the city to correct the issue themselves.
Depending on circumstance and severity of a violation, Wassell said they can “connect residents with necessary resources to help” if they are physically or financially unable to maintain their yard.
How to contact the Bureau of Building Standards and Safety
The city of Erie is divided into eight different code enforcement zones, each with their own property maintenance inspector, formerly known as code enforcement officers. Residents who have questions or would like to report violations can find their inspector’s information on the city’s website or by calling 814-870-1473.
Contact Josh Imhof at jimhof@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: How high can my grass be in the City of Erie before I get cited?