Corbin residents warned to keep their grass mowed

Corbin Building Inspector Frank Burke said he has begun issuing warnings concerning residences with extremely high grass. This lot at the corner of Seventh and Oak Street has grass that is several feet tall.

Corbin Building Inspector Frank Burke has begun issuing warnings to property owners that fail to keep their grass mowed and citations are not far behind.

“I hit about 40 last week,” Burke said Monday explaining the “courtesy notice” gives the property owner five days to mow the grass.

Burke said while the list of properties remains substantial, it is not as long as it was last year.

The city has an ordinance on the books requiring property owners/residents to keep the grass maintained.

“It depends on how the lease is written as to whether the owner or the occupant is responsible for the grass at rental properties,” Burke said.

Despite Burke’s efforts, a short drive through the city produced multiple properties with grass several feet high.

If a citation is issued, the property owner is subject to a $100 fine plus a mowing fee for public works to come out and mow the property. The fee the first time is $75, which increases to $100 and then $200 for each additional time.

Burke said his goal is to stop the most egregious offenders and that factors, such as the recent rainy weather, would be taken into consideration.

“It is a personal judgment call,” Burke said. “You have to draw the line at some point.”

Burke said in addition to the mowing issues, residents should be aware that the city would be stepping up efforts to enforce the ordinances on garbage collection and on those blowing mowed grass out into the street.

“We sent a couple hundred notices out on those,” Burke said.

Under the city’s garbage ordinance, garbage is to be placed in cans no larger than 35 gallons and they must have lids that fit securely.

Garbage is to be placed out at the curb the night before pickup is scheduled.