Overgrown Vegetation is Illegal
By: Stephanie Sobic
Updated: July 22, 2010
The city of Odessa is reminding people to cut their grass...because it's the law!
"We're getting more reports of mosquitoes as well as reports of overgrown vegetation," says Andrea Goodson, Public Information Coordinator for the City of Odessa.
Adult mosquitoes like to live in tall weeds and other thick vegetation, and if residents don't keep their grass and weeds well groomed they won't go away. Plus, the city will make you pay. All grass and weed taller than 12 inches is in violation.
"It can be a fine up to $500. Not to mention, if the city has to clean up a property, the city can place a lean against the property for the cost occurred," explains Goodson.
In some cases residents don't even know they're in violation.
"People forget that their property is from curb to alley. So if you have a strip of grass in the middle of your alley, property owners need to keep that cut down," explains Goodson.
Aside from being a violation, tall vegetation creates other problems too.
"It's just ugly. We want to keep our city beautiful; we want to keep the vegetation down. It's a sanitation issue, its breeding ground for mosquitoes who carry diseases," says Goodson.
If your yard is against code, the city will issue you a notice of violation and you have a week to clean up your property. If you don't have the means, call the city.
"Physical, financial, whatever the case may be, they're encouraged to contact the city and we will work out an agreement with them to get it taken care of," explains Goodson.
The violation also goes one step further…if grass is 48 inches or taller, the city can come in and clear out the overgrown vegetation and then place a lean on the property without any warning to the property owner.
