If your grass is taller than the height that city ordinances or HOA regulations allow, you should mow the lawn. Unkempt lawns, with tall grass and weeds, risk steep fines, lawsuits, a lien on the house, and even foreclosure.
There are other reasons why you want to mow overly tall turf. Nasty pests and fungal diseases, a fire hazard, and a decrease in property value are just a few to mention. In this article, we discuss all the reasons for lawn mowing.
What happens if you don’t mow your lawn?
When you let the grass grow overly tall (over 6 inches), the lawn looks uneven, and the turf is less healthy. It can become a safety hazard, lead to costly maintenance, and decrease the property’s value for you and the community.
Vermin, pests, and disgruntled neighbors
Tall grass is a magnet for vermin. It keeps the soil shaded and moist and hides out puddles in the lawn making any yard a haven for insects such as mosquitos, fleas, and ticks.
Dr. Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at PennState College of Agricultural Science, says overgrown grass also exposes the yard to larger pests.
“You start to get rodents in there. You get a lot of mice, voles, and sometimes groundhogs are coming into these areas, digging holes and getting into the neighbors’ lawns. They find food in really high grass. It is protection for them. That’s something that most neighborhoods of suburbia would not tolerate.”
Invasive weeds
The unmowed meadow-like look might be attractive if you like a wild, natural garden. However, it can also lead to unpleasant, invasive weeds that regular mowing keeps from seeding.
“We have a lot of weed problems in those kinds of grass meadows,” says Dr. Landschoot. “There’s a weed we call Canada thistle that forms these big patches. They have thorns on them and are really difficult to control.”
Thinned out grass
Not mowing the grass for a long time can ruin turf density. Dr. Landschoot explains that in overgrown lawns, foliage cover shades the grass stems, leading to fewer tillers. “When you start to lower the grass, the lawn thins out, and you get a lot of weed cover. “
Higher risks for diseases
Unmowed grass grows thin and wobbly, and the dense shade of the canopy favors fungal diseases, especially in humid areas with lots of rain and snow.
A less functional lawn
Dr. Landschoot says tall grass also limits the use of the lawn for outdoor activities such as cookouts and sports. “Some people here [Pennsylvania] like to do activities on their lawn, like play volleyball, for example. If the grass is more than 4 inches in height, that’s kind of difficult.”
Fallen branches, twigs, and stones hidden among the tall grass can also turn the lawn into a tripping hazard for children and adults.
A lower property value
A survey conducted by Trees.com in 2021 on 1,250 real estate agents shows poor landscaping can decrease property value by 10 to 30%. “The landscaping elements that add the most value to a home include grass (64%), trees (59%), and flowers (52%).” says the study.
Overgrown lawns are a fire hazard
Tall grass, weeds, and shrubs can become a fire hazard during drought. According to the King County WA Local Services, tall grass and weeds provide more burning materials. Tall plants can also turn into a ladder fuel that supports the fire climb from the ground to tree canopy and structures easier.
Is it illegal to not mow your lawn?
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Yes, it is illegal not to mow your lawn if the height of your grass and weeds exceeds the maximum local laws require.
Many cities and counties nationwide have nuisance ordinances that set maintenance requirements for residential properties, which often refer to:
- The maximum grass height
- Mowing frequency
- Keeping the yard free of weeds and debris
For example, in Houston, Texas, city ordinances state the property owner or occupant is responsible for keeping weeds and grass less than 9 inches tall. City ordinances are local laws, so if you live in Houston and your unmowed lawn is taller than 9 inches, you’re breaking the law.
The HOAs (Homeowners Associations) often include similar rules in their Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) documents. When an individual buys a home in an HOA-managed community, the contract also states he or she will follow the rules in the CC&R.
HOAs are not governmental organizations, and violating their rules is not illegal, but it can lead to troublesome consequences such as fines, liens, lawsuits, and foreclosure.
How much can you be fined for not mowing the lawn?
Fines for not mowing the lawn can start as low as $25 and reach a few thousand dollars for multiple violations. In Houston, Texas, fines for letting your grass grow taller than 9 inches range from $50 to $1,000 for the first offense and $200 to $2,000 for the third offense. If it’s daily fines, they can add up quickly.
It all starts with a warning. If your lawn grows taller than the required height, you’ll first receive a violation notice with a deadline to remedy the situation, typically seven to 15 days. City inspectors then check for compliance. If you fail to mow the lawn at the proper height, one of two things usually happens.
The city can forcibly mow your lawn and bill you the cost of the mowing service. For example, in Midland, Texas, if a property is not mowed after seven days from the notification, the city will have it mowed. The property owner will be charged a minimum mowing charge of $200 per lot.
Similar measures are taken all around the country but at different fees.
The city can send your case to municipal court. In some suburbs and cities, not mowing the lawn can give your day in court. The City of Dallas Code of Compliance puts tall grass and weeds No. 1 on the top 10 Code violations. According to the city website, failure to keep grass and weeds under 12 inches, “may result in a court citation and/or a bill for the City’s mowing services.”
Can the refusal to mow lead to foreclosure or jail?
In some cases, when unpaid fines add up, yes, refusing to mow a lawn can actually lead to foreclosure on the house or jail time.
One well-known case is that of Jim Ficken, a homeowner in Dunedin, Florida. Ficken ended up with fines of up to $30,000 after his lawn stayed unmowed for two months in 2018 while he was out of state. To recuperate the fines and late fees, the city voted to foreclose his house. Ficken fought the city in court and finally settled for a $8,000 fine in April 2024.
In 2015, Rick Yoes went to jail in Grand Prairie, Texas, for refusing to comply with the city’s request to mow his lawn for 20 years and being unable to pay the $1,700 fine.
Are no-mow alternatives an option?
No mow alternatives are turfgrasses and groundcovers that don’t grow over 6 to 8 inches and thus don’t require mowing to comply with city ordinances and HOA regulations.
However, some HOA guidelines may require turfgrass on the lawn and consider any other plant a weed. In this case, go for low-growing, no-mow turf species and varieties such as buffalograss and zoysia tenuifolia.
If the local regulations allow it, you can cover the lawn with clover, moss, kurapia, and other low-growing groundcovers that don’t require mowing and create beautiful, uniform, carpet-like lawns.
FAQ about mowing
How often does my lawn need mowing?
During the growing season, mow the lawn once a week. You might need to mow more often after heavy rain, fertilization or if you have a fast-growing grass type such as Bermudagrass.
When should I mow my lawn?
The best time to mow is mid-morning and late afternoon. Wait until the grass is about ⅓ taller than the recommended mowing height for your grass type to comply with the ⅓ rule of mowing.
Can you report someone for not mowing their lawn?
Yes, you can report overgrown grass to the local code enforcement officers of HOA. Don’t take matters into your own hands, and start mowing your neighbor’s lawn without permission. It’s trespassing on private property and thus illegal.
Stay the safe side and hire a professional to mow the lawn
Why deal with fines and legal headaches? Hire a local lawn care pro with Lawn Love and sleep peacefully every night, knowing your lawn is perfectly mowed and taken care of.
Sources:
- King County Local Services. (2020, September 30). Fire Dry Grass, Weeds, and Brush Handout. https://kingcounty.gov/en/-/media/depts/permitting-environmental-review/dper/documents/forms/Fire-Dry-Grass-Weeds-Handout.ashx
- Inspections and Public Service, Houston, Texas (n.d.). Avoid Common Violations. https://www.houstontx.gov/ips/avoid_common_violations.html
- Wilson, J. (2024, April 22). Final Victory for Florida Man Who Challenged Fines for Overgrown Grass. The Institute for Justice. https://ij.org/press-release/final-victory-for-florida-man-who-challenged-fines-for-overgrown-grass/
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