Don't mow your grass - you can go to jail

Started by GlenL • 6 replies • 2370 views

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GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

For those of you that believe HOA's can be draconian in their landscape enforcement; the city of Canton Ohio has passed an ordinance that can earn you jail time if you fail to mow your property. If you receive a second high-grass violation you can face a $250.00 fine and 30 days in the hoosegow.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080603/ap_on_fe_st/odd_grass_cutting_penalty

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

CharlesW1 (Georgia)
Posts: 826

Posted:

GlenL,

Sounds great in theory, however, as a taxpayer I’m not particularly fond of paying to “house” habitually violators for NOT mowing their grass. Don’t get me wrong. I certainly feel that something other than a fine should be assessed, but I feel that is just an open ended threat!

I say have the city mow the lawn and have the services charged to their mortgage. Then the city will get their money. People tend to pay their mortgage, first and foremost, before any other bill besides paying for food or gas to put in their car.

That will never happen. Although that is what needs to happen.

Hopefully the new law will work effectively in your state. Perhaps, violators will be more apt to take care of the sited violation, appose to letting it get out of control.

Interesting thread.
Thanks Chuck W.

Charles E. Wafer Jr.

DJ1 (Ontario)
Posts: 798

Posted:

Why would the city mow the lawn and then add the debt to a mortgage that a lender (bank) holds? It is common for municipal bylaws like grass height no more than 20cm here. Thru the bylaw the town can come and mow and then add the costs to the homeowners property tax bill. If the taxes go unpaid for 3 years the town can sell the property to pay the bills. No need for a HOA for this one.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By GlenL on 06/05/2008 11:29 PM
For those of you that believe HOA's can be draconian in their landscape enforcement; the city of Canton Ohio has passed an ordinance that can earn you jail time if you fail to mow your property. If you receive a second high-grass violation you can face a $250.00 fine and 30 days in the hoosegow.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080603/ap_on_fe_st/odd_grass_cutting_penalty

Glen,

One of our city code restrictions deals with untrimmed palm trees. Some might think that's a draconian law, too. However, these municipal codes are necessary to keep the city looking nice; same as the HOA restrictions are designed to keep up our property values. (I say that with tongue in cheek! :-) ) Regarding the city ordinances, fines can be assessed and the errant h/o can face a day in court and jail time if not cured. This is probably standard operating procedure everywhere. The difference between the HOA and the city is that the city generally gives a much longer time for the h/o to cure the violation and they don't have foreclosure power. Hooray for that! Don't know they can perform the job and tack it on to your tax bill either, as some here have suggested!!!

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By CharlesW1 on 06/06/2008 4:26 AM
GlenL,

Sounds great in theory, however, as a taxpayer I’m not particularly fond of paying to “house” habitually violators for NOT mowing their grass. Don’t get me wrong. I certainly feel that something other than a fine should be assessed, but I feel that is just an open ended threat!

Interesting thread.
Thanks Chuck W.

Charles with any luck they'll be put on a chain gang mowing properties where they can't find the owners'.

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

GloriaM (North Carolina)
Posts: 829

Posted:

Isn't it a shame that Owners just don't do the right thing and take care of their home without the City fining them or an MC sending letter after letter to mow their lawns.

I guess there is just too many good things on TV keeping them inside.

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

that's the issue: the definition of "taking care of"... i am sure these owners think they are taking care of their home. the city (and others) feel different.

So, somewhere along the line, the city (or an HOA) sets up some rules to define what "taking care of" means, so everyone is on the same page. then we find out that not everyone IS on the same page, and once you have the line drawn, you have to do something to encourage those on the other side of it to get to the correct side.

I agree with Gloria.. the world would be a lot better if everyone would just agree with my ideas.

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