Code Violation Fees in LG Take a Jump

Those Who Refuse to Mow Lawn Will Be Hit With Heftier Fines

Folks in La Grange who let their grass grow too tall will get an even bigger bill in the mail after the City mows it for them.

At their meeting Monday night, April 14, the La Grange City Council increased rates for code enforcement violations.

Mowing fees will increase from $50 an hour to $85 an hour with a one hour minimum.

“This is only for code violations, so if we have to go mow and weed-eat a lot,” said City Manager Jack Thompson. “This is after we give them plenty of notice and time to rectify the situation.”

The City’s code of ordinances prohibits grass, weeds or brush taller than 12 inches.

“It’s been about five years since we reviewed these fees,” said City Manager Jack Thompson. “What we’ve come up with is an increase to basically cover our costs.”

This Council also increased other fees related to code enforcement cleanup:

• Brush and trash pickup will go up from $25 to $30.

• Work requiring a backhoe or dump truck will increase from $45 an hour to $55 an hour.

• If city workers need to use a one-ton truck with a dump bed, the fee will increase from $35 an hour to $42 an hour.

• Administrative fees will increase from $25 to $40.

“This is just to cover our costs,” Thompson said. “It’s not something we make money on.”

La Grange resident Dr. Mike Mabry asked Thompson how much the City collects in code enforcement fees.

“It depends on if the person who received the letter fixed the code violation or not,” Thompson said. “A lot of times they fix the code violation and there’s no fine attached. The objective is to get people to correct the offense and not necessarily fine them. That’s a positive outcome.”

“I agree with that,” Mabry said.

Thompson said the City deals with a few “repeat offenders.”

“There are numerous addresses where we are basically mowing the lawn for them, and that’s why we upped our fees,” Thompson said. “We do not have the staffing to continually go out and mow people’s lots when we have parks and cemeteries to maintain. That gets very costly.”

Mabry asked what happens if violators do not pay the fee.

“Then they have a lien on their property,” Thompson said. “Some pay us. When they sell the property they have to pay us.”

Mabry raised a concern about brush growing on private property that obstructs the view for drivers on city streets. He asked about the City’s policy for brush that encroaches into public rights-of-way.

City Attorney Angela Beck said such a scenario would amount to a code violation. If the owner fails to fix the problem, the City could remove the brush and charge the property owner according to the fee schedule under consideration.

“If they don’t take care of it, then you will and charge them the fee,” Mabry said.

“Yes,” Thompson said. Mabry said he knows of some areas in town with this problem.

“I’ll call you,” he said. “I appreciate you listening. I think it’s a safety issue, to prevent or reduce the possibility of the City of La Grange being involved in some legality due to accidents.”

The Council unanimously approved the new fee schedule for code enforcement.