Don’t be a nuisance: Trim grass and weeds

ROSEBURG, Ore. – As the growing season kicks into high gear, the City of Roseburg reminds property owners to maintain grasses and weeds below 12 inches all year to keep the city and its neighborhoods beautiful.

Under Roseburg Municipal Code, public and private property owners are not allowed to create a public “nuisance” through excess or “obnoxious” vegetation on any property. Failure to maintain grasses and weeds at the appropriate height could lead to City fines or penalties. The code applies to all property owners, developed properties and cleared lots, but not natural areas or undeveloped parcels in their natural state. Keeping vegetation trimmed also reduces wildfire risk to your property.

“The purpose of it is to be able to keep yards and neighborhoods looking nice – ensuring that your yard is maintained so it doesn’t become a nuisance with ‘obnoxious’ vegetation that may affect your neighbor,” said Roseburg Community Development Department Director Stuart Cowie. “Maintaining your yard or vegetation on your property will help to ensure that your property looks beautiful.”

Under Municipal Code 7.04.005, “obnoxious” vegetation includes weeds, grass or legumes taller than twelve inches; poison oak or poison ivy; vegetation that obstructs vision; vegetation including blackberry vines that extend into the public way, are used for habitation by trespassers, or pose a fire hazard because they’re near other combustibles. That doesn’t include agricultural crops that aren’t a fire hazard or vision obstruction, or natural vegetation in areas designated to remain in a natural vegetative state and that don’t pose a fire hazard as determined by the Roseburg fire chief.

Roseburg Municipal Code 7.04.140 states obnoxious vegetation won’t be allowed on public or private property except in wetland and riparian areas along creeks and rivers, or where strict compliance would be impractical as applied to a type of obnoxious vegetation; part of a parcel; or the height of weeds, grass or tree branches. The Roseburg city manager determines when requirements are impractical, according to the code.

In addition, May is “Wildfire Awareness Month” in Oregon, where wildfire season can start as early as mid-May and last until the first rains in fall, reports the Western Fire Chiefs Association. Roseburg property owners can do their part to reduce wildfire risk by keeping property “lean and green” -- keep lawns mowed and plants watered, and remove dead, combustible vegetation, mulch and other materials.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows the entire state without any abnormal dryness or drought. Yet as rain diminishes and temperatures rise, vegetation will dry out rapidly and fire danger to homes and other properties will increase.

To comply with Roseburg Municipal Code, all weeds and grasses must be kept below the 12-inch height restriction year-round. Thank you for doing your part to keep Roseburg beautiful and our residents and businesses safe from wildfire. For more information, contact the Roseburg Community Development Department at cdd@roseburgor.gov or 541-492-6750.