The early bird catches the worm, as long as it doesn’t mow too early. Mowing after 8 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends is usually acceptable. However, how early you can mow the lawn depends on many factors.
We explain the earliest time you should mow according to local laws, social standards, and turf science. Thus, following our advice prevents fines, feuds, and fatigued grass. Rest assured, our information comes from in-depth research, personal experience, and a savvy social survey.
When’s an acceptable time to mow?
Generally, mowing the lawn after 8 a.m. on weekdays or after 9 a.m. on weekends and holidays is socially acceptable. However, that time varies.
I posted a survey on Facebook asking people when they think it’s okay to mow. We found that rural homeowners are the least likely to care. On the other hand, those in the suburbs are the most apt to moan when a neighbor mows in the wee hours.
For respondents who care, the following table shows their range of responses.
| Type of day | How early is it okay to mow |
| Weekday | 7 to 9 a.m. |
| Weekend | 8 to 10 a.m. |
| Holiday | 8 to 10 a.m. |
However, about a third of respondents don’t care how early their neighbors mow. The next table breaks them down by the type of neighborhood.
| Location | How many people don’t care |
| Rural | 50% |
| City | 40% |
| Suburb | 20% |
How early can you legally mow?
Noise ordinances are laws that restrict sound based on the time of day, zoning, and type of noise. Typically, they prohibit residential mowing at the following times:
- Before 7 to 8 a.m. on weekdays
- Before 8 to 9 a.m. on weekends
- After 8 to 10 p.m. daily
For example, in Atlanta, using “any noise-generating, motorized landscape maintenance device” is unlawful in residential areas between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. That includes lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws.
Rural regions rarely restrict lawn mowing. Additionally, the rules typically do not apply to commercial and industrial land.
Finding your local noise ordinances
To find your city’s noise laws, you can:
- Google: [city name] noise ordinance
- Call your local sheriff’s office
- Contact an attorney
Also, speak with a representative from your HOA to determine if they have any additional mowing rules. HOAs are often stricter enforcers than the city.
My tip: The local sheriff’s office provides more practical insight than written laws. Since the police don’t enforce every law, speaking with them is the best way to get actionable advice without hiring an attorney.
Legal consequences
The best source of legal advice is a local lawyer who has handled similar disputes. However, the penalty for early mowing is usually a fine of $100 to $1,000. The fine depends on where you live and how many times you get caught.
For instance, North Myrtle Beach has an early morning mowing fine of up to $500. In contrast, Massapequa Park on Long Island fines up to $1,000 the first time and up to $10,000 for habitual early mowers.
What’s the best time to cut the grass?
If you want a lush lawn, the best time to mow is mid-morning, roughly between 8 and 11 a.m.:
- After the dew dries, so you don’t mow wet turf
- Before it gets too hot, to avoid cutting heat-stressed grass
- While there’s still plenty of sunshine to heal the lawn from foot traffic and other mowing stresses
Learning how to mow properly is the best way to liven up your lawn. Trimming turf in the mid-morning reduces its risk of damage and diseases. However, following the one-third mowing rule and using the best lawn mower for your grass is also essential.
Read more:
Factors that influence how early you mow
Proximity to neighbors: The closer your lawn is to your neighbor’s home, the more likely you’ll disturb them. Thus, mowing too early is menacing to those in townhomes and zero-lot-line communities. In contrast, it’s trivial in rural areas with multi-acre lots.
Type of mower: Electric walk-behind mowers tend to be the quietest, so you may get away with using one in the wee hours. Check your mower’s manual for details. It often explains how loud the mower sounds at various distances. You can cross-reference that with local noise ordinances.
Bedroom window locations: If someone in your household is sleeping, it’s best not to mow by their window. Similarly, you don’t want to mow near a sleeping neighbor’s bedroom window.
Illnesses: If your neighbor’s very sick, please try not to wake them up.
Sleeping babies: If a baby is sleeping in your home, don’t mow. Also, avoid mowing when you know your next-door neighbor’s baby is asleep. Otherwise, the baby’s primary caretaker will likely get livid when her baby wakes up.
Late work schedules: It’s a nice gesture to mow a little later when you know your neighbor works late. That said, most overnight workers know they’re the exception, not the rule. I used to get off work at 4 a.m. and was woken up countless times by lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Although I hated it, I didn’t blame my neighbors.
FAQ about how early you can mow
When you get caught mowing too early, the snitch is probably either a neighbor or someone from your HOA. The odds of a neighbor calling the police increase when:
• You live in the suburbs
• Your mower regularly wakes them up
• You keep mowing early after they ask you to stop
• Your neighbor doesn’t like you
Gas-powered riding lawn mowers are the loudest. They’re typically 90 to 105 decibels.
The best approach is to calmly talk it out. Find out why your neighbor mows so early and explain how it troubles you. If they can’t mow later, try to find a solution. For example, you may offer to mow the lawn for them when you mow your own. Or they may agree to mow near your bedroom window at a later time.
When to call a lawn care pro
If you can only mow in the early morning, consider hiring a lawn care pro. Trust me, your neighbors will thank you. Additionally, you’ll appreciate not having to work lawn mowing into your already busy schedule.
Lawn Love gives you access to a vast network of vetted and insured outdoor service pros. In addition to mowing, we help with gutter cleaning, weed control, and just about everything else your yard needs. With online quotes and our user-friendly app, hiring a pro is as easy as ordering a pizza.
Sources
- “Can you be fined for mowing the lawn too early or late in Myrtle Beach, SC area?” By Maria Elena Scott, service journalism reporter. The Sun News.
- “Code of Ordinances: Supplement 101 Update 1.” City of Atlanta.
- “Cut your lawn, or your *ss is grass in Long Island town.” By Barry Leibowitz, journalist. CBS News.
- “Heat tracking damage on lawns.” By Kevin Frank, professor and turf extension specialist. Michigan State University Extension.
Main Image Credit: ClickerHappy | Pixabay
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