By Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian
07-10-25
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
With the steady rainfall over the past few weeks, grass and weeds have quickly grown in residential areas, in empty lots and along city easements.
According to City of Uvalde Director of Planning and Development Susan Anderson, the number one complaint the city receives is about overgrown grass and weeds.
The Uvalde Hesperian reached out to the City with questions about city codes and code enforcement pertaining to tall grass and weeds.
Anderson and other City personnel submitted the answers to the questions posed.
How widespread is the tall grass in Uvalde?
“HIGH WEEDS AND GRASS IS THE MOST FREQUENT COMPLAINT THAT WE RECEIVE. OUR PROCESS IS:
– RECEIVE COMPLAINT
– DRIVE BY AND TAKE PICTURES
– CREATE A CASE, LOCATING THE PROPERTY OWNERS, MAKING CONTACT, SENDING A NOTICE OF VIOLATION
– WAIT 10 DAYS TO SEE IF THE PROPERTY OWNER WILL CONTACT US, IF SO WE WILL GIVE THEM TIME TO REMEDY THE ISSUE.
– IF THERE IS NO RESPONSE AND THE PROPERTY IS VACANT WE HIRE A CONTRACTOR TO CLEAN THE PROPERTY.
– IF THERE IS NO RESPONSE AND THE PROPERTY IS NOT VACANT WE FILE A CASE WITH MUNICIPAL COURT
– SEND A BILL TO THE PROPERTY OWNER. IF NO PAYMENT IS MADE, A LIEN WILL BE PLACED ON THE PROPERTY.
– VIOLATION LETTERS ARE GOOD FOR ONE YEAR, SO WE MAY HAVE IT CLEANED AGAIN DURING THAT TIME WITHOUT HAVING TO START THE NOTIFICATION PROCESS AGAIN.
THIS PROCESS IS PRESCRIBED IN STATE STATUTE.”
If the high grass is on a city easement, who is responsible for keeping it mowed?
PROPERTY OWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN UP TO THE CURB OR PAVEMENT IF THERE IS NO CURB.
What does the code state concerning grass?
“WE HAVE ADOPTED THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY CODE WHICH STATES:
302.4 WEEDS. PREMISES AND EXTERIOR PROPERTY SHALL BE MAINTAINED FREE FROM WEEDS OR PLANT GROWTH IN EXCESS OF 12 INCHES IN HEIGHT. NOXIOUS WEEDS SHALL BE PROHIBITED. WEEDS SHALL BE DEFINED AS ALL GRASSES, ANNUAL PLANTS AND VEGETATION, OTHER THAN TREES OR SHRUBS PROVIDED; HOWEVER, THIS TERM SHALL NOT INCLUDE CULTIVATED FLOWERS AND GARDENS.”
What about out of town owners of homes? “THE SAME RULES APPLY NO MATTER WHERE THE OWNERS LIVE.”
How many tickets/ warnings has your department issued in the last few weeks?
WE HAVE OPENED 7 CASES SO FAR IN JULY. LAST YEAR WE ONLY HAD 4, BUT WITH THE RAINS WE EXPECT TO HAVE MORE THAN LAST YEAR. THE TOTAL YEAR-TO-DATE IS 32. LAST YEAR OUR TOTAL CASES WAS 33.
What options does a business or homeowner have regarding maintaining a code compliant yard?
“WE MAINTAIN A LIST OF CONTRACTORS THAT WORK WITH OUR CODE DEPARTMENT AND WE ARE HAPPY TO SHARE THE LIST WITH PROPERTY OWNERS.”
What are some detrimental effects of high grass in residential areas?
“HIGH WEEDS AND GRASS CAN HARBOR INSECTS, RODENTS AND REPTILES. KEEPING GRASS CUT REDUCES THE RISK OF ENCOUNTERING THESE PESTS.”
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