Tall Grass and Weed Enforcement: What Property Owners Need to Know This Season

As we move into the growing season, the City would like to remind all property owners, occupants and tenants of their responsibilities regarding tall grass and weed maintenance.

The Eight-Inch Rule

All premises must be maintained free from tall grass and weeds exceeding eight inches in height. This applies to all areas of your property, including spaces along buildings, walls, fences, driveways and both private and public sidewalks. Special attention should be paid to controlling invasive species such as wild carrot, ragweed, running bamboo, poison ivy and poison sumac to prevent their spread throughout our community.

Property owners are also responsible for maintaining adjacent rights-of-way, whether improved or unimproved. Additionally, vegetation growing through cracks in paved areas like driveways, walkways and parking lots must be removed, as it is considered a weed violation.

How Enforcement Works

This season, the enforcement process has been streamlined. Property owners will receive only one written Notice of Violation and Order to Cut for the entire mowing season. This single notice serves as your final warning. If subsequent violations occur after this notice has been served, the City will arrange for the grass and weeds to be cut, and all costs will be recovered from the property owner.

Vacant properties in violation will be placarded during the mowing season. These placards must remain in place until the violation is corrected and cannot be removed without approval from the Chief Code Official.

Take Action

Once you receive a notice of violation, you have ten days from the date of service to cut and remove the vegetation. We encourage all residents to stay ahead of maintenance requirements to avoid penalties and keep our community looking its best.

For questions or more information, please contact the Property Maintenance Division.

Please visit the PUBLIC NOTICE ALL KETTERING RESIDENTS for additional information.