District regulations prohibit property owners (commercial and residential) from allowing grass and weeds on their premises to grow more than 10 inches in height. Failing to adhere to the rule could lead to fines between $100 to $500. Between May 1 and October 31, DCRA can immediately mow properties and issues fines.
http://dcregs.dc.gov/Gateway/NoticeHome.aspx?NoticeID=1803829
DCRA will be hanging “door knocker” reminders at properties where the grass height is getting close to the threshold to try to encourage voluntary compliance before the city has to intervene.
Tall grass can trigger respiratory problems like asthma and allergies in District residents and rats and other vermin are also drawn to the over-growth. This holds serious public health implications.
DCRA regulates several types of excessive vegetative growth including: kudzu, poison ivy, oak and sumac, plants with obnoxious odors, weeds, grasses causing hay fever, and any weed growth that creates a breeding place for mosquitoes. Weeds may be defined as any vegetation at any state of maturity that:
- Exceeds more than 10 inches in height, is untended, or creates a dense area of shrubbery that is a detriment to the health, safety and welfare of the public;
- Creates a harbor (including hiding places for persons), or provides a place to conceal refuse or trash, regardless of height;
- Develops into deposits, or accumulation of, refuse or trash;
- Harbors rodents and vermin or provides a refuge for snakes, rats or other rodents;
- Creates an unpleasant or noxious odor;
- Constitutes a fire hazard; or
- Contains grass or weeds that are dead and diseased.
Failure to comply with a Notice of Violation during the growing season may result in DCRA cleaning the property and billing the owner for cost of the cleanup. Residents should report suspected violations to DCRA at (202) 442-9557 or email complaints to dcra.housingcomplaints@dc.gov.
Residents can also send Tweets to @dcra – include photos if you’d like – of properties with grass and/or weeds exceeding 10 inches. Please try to get exact address before making a complaint.
In order to keep Kingman Park safe and clean please report houses on your block. If you not want to call and report the houses, please call or email me.
Lisa White, ANC Commissioner SMD 7D01 Kingman Park (202) 706-4713
ANC 7D01 