Clermont County Public Health regulates high grass and weeds in developed residential areas for the purpose of tick control during the tick breeding season, which occurs during the warm months of the year. The owner of a lot in a developed residential area which is accessible to the public is required to cut grass and weeds on the lot between May 1st and October 1st if exceeding two feet in overall height. High grass and weeds complaints are accepted starting May 1st, and will not be accepted after October 1st.
“Developed residential area” means a subdivision, suburb, or other area limited to residential property with a high concentration of dwellings. The regulation doesn’t apply to business districts, industrialized areas, or rural/agricultural areas. Zoning is not taken into consideration.
“Overall height” means grass on the lot is predominantly over two feet in height, or significant portions are over two feet in height. Trimming around fences, trees, and so forth isn’t required.
When Public Health issues orders to cut high grass on an unoccupied property, but the grass has not been cut, the case will be referred to the Board of Health. If the grass has not been cut despite orders from the board a citation will be issued requiring the owner to appear at the next Board of Health meeting and show cause why the Board of Health should not proceed to abate the nuisance.
If the owner does not attend the meeting the Board will begin abatement proceedings. Public Health will contact the Engineers Office to cut the grass. Yards that are 1 acre or less in size will be billed a minimum charge of $97.52. Larger areas will be billed hourly labor and equipment charges for all time over a two-hour base minimum. Public Health will pay the bill at the next Board of Health meeting and will certify the expense to the County Auditor to place on the tax duplicate as a lien on the property.
See Vector-borne Disease Control for more information about ticks, and tick control.
