The mowing and weed nuisance season started May 1, 2013 for this year and goes until October 15.  It is forecasted to be good weather the rest of the week and is a good time to take care of the yard.

The City has already received over 40 reported locations for weed violations.  The owner has four days from the date of the notification letter to cut or destroy all weeds, vines, brush, bushes, non-purposefully planted trees less than three inches in diameter and noxious weeds.  The program is to prevent health, safety and fire hazards in our community.  An abatement cost is over $100. 

Residents can contact the Public Works Department at 286-5802 to report complaints.  Concerns can also be emailed to street@cedar-rapids.org for follow-up during regular working hours.

City Code 21.13.b

(b) Maintenance of Parking and Private Property. All property owners shall maintain their property and the abutting parking according to the following standards:
1. In developed areas and other areas, which lie within one hundred feet of a developed area or urban street, except for those otherwise hereinafter regulated, all vines, brush, bushes, non-purposefully planted trees less than 3 inches in diameter and noxious weeds as defined by the State Code, (Chapter 317) or other growth, which constitute a health, safety or fire hazard shall be cut or destroyed by the property owners or occupants in possession or control of lands, including railroad lands within the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa to a height comparable to or lower than the groundcover in the surrounding area or when such growth exceeds one foot in height.
2. In areas of forest cover, all vines, brush, bushes, non-purposefully planted trees less than 3 inches in diameter and noxious weeds as defined by the State Code, (Chapter 317) or other growth, which constitute a health, safety or fire hazard between the established tree line and the abutting developed area or urban street shall be cut or destroyed by the property owners or occupants in possession or control of lands to a height comparable to or lower than the groundcover in the surrounding area or when such growth exceeds one foot in height.

Are You Pointed in the Right Direction?

The City also received and noted multiple locations where grass clippings have been placed in the street. 

When it comes to mowing your lawn it’s easy to go into “automatic” pilot...SO a friendly reminder as we begin mowing in one of the earliest seasons in memory. When you are rolling along make sure your mower is pointing in the right direction - towards the lawn at all times.  Grass clippings decompose in a matter of days, adding nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) to the lawn. This good lawn care habit also keeps clippings out of our streets, storm drains and eventually streams where they cause nothing but water quality problems.

Grass clippings and leaves purposely blown into the street, and yard waste intentionally dumped into waterways cause unwanted and uncontrolled growth of algae and aquatic weeds. This leads to unpleasant odors, depleted oxygen levels, and sometimes fish kills. In addition to polluting the water, grass clippings and leaves can block drains and cause flooding.

Use a broom to clean up lawn clippings, not a hose. While a few grass clippings mowed into the street look rather innocent, collectively they have a major impact on water quality. Stormwater pollution can be reported 24 hours a day to the City of Cedar Rapids (319) 286-5826.

One last thought – consider establishing natives as a replacement for a standard turf mix. Native grasses and plants have deep roots that soak up the rain, and require less mowing.

Thanks for your help in making Cedar Rapids a sustainable community for all!