Mow it, don’t grow it

San Antonio has been blessed with frequent rainfall this spring. However, while the rainfall is good for the aquifer, it also causes grass and weeds to grow at a rapid pace. If you own property and have neglected its appearance, you could be in store for a visit from a Code Compliance officer.

Code officers will be looking for high weeds, uncontained trash and debris on vacant properties which could pose a health and safety hazard. Property owners are responsible for maintaining the appearance of their lawns and/or vacant lots according to the following City codes:

• If grass or weeds are more than 12 inches in height or if trash, brush and debris are allowed to accumulate on a property, Code Compliance may issue an annual notice to the property owner requesting that the property be mowed or cleared. If the notice is ignored, the City may contract for the property to be mowed and cleared at the owner’s expense if it is a vacant lot and the owner may be cited.

• If a lot has weeds higher than 12 inches and is located within 1000 feet of a school, the City, without notice to the owner, may mow and clear the property at the owner’s expense.

• If a lot has weeds in excess of 48 inches, regardless of its location, the City, without notice to the owner, may mow and clear the property at the owner’s expense.

Code officers routinely inspect neighborhoods looking for blighted areas and substandard living conditions that are a violation of City Code. The most prevalent code violations include junked vehicles, overgrown vacant lots, unsanitary, dangerous premises and zoning violations.

To learn more about the Code Compliance Department or to schedule a presentation to your neighborhood or community organization, call 311 or visit Code’s website. Residents can report code violations by calling 311 or online at www.sanantonio.gov/codecomp.

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