The heavy rain we’ve had recently may have been too much of a good thing. Homes all across the city are covered with tall grass and overgrown weed, and you don’t want your yard to catch the attention of the City’s Code Enforcement officers.
Since the heavy rains, Code Enforcement officers like Matthew Barrera have been on patrol.
“We’ve definitely been getting a lot more complaints onto properties,” said Barrera. “A lot of the rain that comes in, it definitely starts to continue to keep building up.”
If your yard looks a bit like a jungle, Code Enforcement may leave you a friendly reminder. They’re handing out notices telling property owners they have seven days to clear their overgrown properties.
Officers, like Barrera, are taking all the steps to keep everyone compliant, and they’re documenting what they find.
“The first initial thing that we do when we get out to a property,” said Barrera. “We always take the first long shot (a picture).”
If yards aren’t brought in compliance, owners face fines from $100 up to $2,000.
“We want to try and make sure that properties are well kept when it comes to the height of the grass,” said Barrera. “We want to make sure it doesn’t go over 12 inches.”
People who don’t pay the fines, could face leins, which could make it hard to sell the property later on.
But an overgrown yard isn’t just unsightly, it also brings unwanted guests.
“Because with the tall grass you have the issue of opossums, different rodents or rats, (and) mice,” said Barrera.
If there is a property or home you’re concerned about, you can give code enforcement a call at 361-826-3046, or visit their office on the second floor at City Hall.
