City of Milwaukee - File #: 240298

• File #: 240298
• Version: 0
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: In Council-Passage
• File created: 6/11/2024
• In control: PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
• Title: An ordinance relating to the enforcement of the cutting of tall grass and weeds.
• Sponsors: ALD. WESTMORELAND

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
7/10/2024	0	PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE; Minutes note: Appearing: Benjamin Brannan, DPW Randy Krouse, DPW	Pass	3:0
6/20/2024	0	PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Danielle Rodriguez - DPW Ald. Westmoreland. Ald. Spiker would like to have this file held to see what the cost would be to hire someone either earlier or later in the season to mow.	Pass	4:0
6/11/2024	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number

 240298

Version

ORIGINAL

Reference

 220110

Sponsor

ALD. WESTMORELAND

Title

An ordinance relating to the enforcement of the cutting of tall grass and weeds.

Sections                      

80-17-0                     am

80-17-2                     rc

Analysis

This ordinance clarifies that the requirement to cut tall grass and weeds shall be enforced year-round.

Body

Whereas, Section 80-17-2 of the Code of Ordinances stipulates that no turf grass or weeds of any kind shall be permitted to grow or stand more than 7 inches on any property in the city; and

Whereas, Properties with tall grass and weeds quickly become neighborhood eyesores that reduce the quality of life in the surrounding area; and

Whereas, The Department of Public Works, Operations Division-Forestry Services does not generally begin enforcing s. 80-17-2 of the Code until late spring, when some lawns have already been overgrown for weeks, which creates eyesores for neighboring homes and businesses; and

Whereas, Because grass does not grow in winter, residents would generally not need to be concerned about enforcement of s.80-17-2 during the cold-weather months of November through March; and

Whereas, In March 2023, the Common Council passed File Number 220110, which allows residents to optionally apply for “no mow May” permits, permitting them to forgo cutting their grass during the month of May; and

Whereas, Enforcement of the tall grass and weeds ordinance year-round would have no effect on the “no mow May” program, which would remain available to those residents who wish to avoid mowing their lawns in the month of May; now, therefore

The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:

Part 1. Section 80-17-0 of the code is amended to read:

80-17. [[Hay Fever Weeds, etc.]] >>Turf Grass and Weeds.<<

Part 2. Section 80-17-2 of the code is repealed and recreated to read:

2. TO BE CUT. a. No turf grass or weeds of any kind shall be permitted to grow or stand more than 7 inches on any property in the city.

b. The city shall enforce par. a year-round.

LRB

APPROVED AS TO FORM

 K. Broadnax

____________________________

Legislative Reference Bureau

Date:  June 11, 2024

____________________________

Attorney

IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE

IS LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE

____________________________

Office of the City Attorney

Date:  ______________________

Requestor

Drafter

Alex Highley

LRB179943-1

5/30/2024