Moncton moves to require short lawns — with fines up to $2,100 for not mowing

Moncton is moving to curb uncut lawns with a proposed bylaw that could see fines ranging from $140 to $2,100 for homeowners who let their grass grow longer than 20 centimetres.

City spokeswoman says new bylaw that caps lawn length at 20 cm was considered a council priority

Shane Magee · CBC News · Posted: Jul 09, 2018 9:10 AM EDT | Last Updated: July 9, 2018

Moncton has introduced a bylaw requiring lawns and grasses to be no more than 20 centimetres tall. (Pierre Richard/Radio Canada)

Moncton is moving to curb uncut lawns with a proposed bylaw that could see fines ranging from $140 to $2,100 for homeowners who let their grass grow taller than 20 centimetres.

Last month, council gave first reading to the bylaw, which bars any grass or lawn longer than 20 centimetres on any land in the city except vacant properties.

The rules would apply to vacant land if the city deemed the grass a safety hazard, such as obstructing pedestrians or motorists.

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City spokeswoman says new bylaw that caps lawn length at 20 cm was considered a council priority.

Second and third reading will take place July 16. The bylaw will take effect when passed.

Fines would start at $140 and run to a maximum of $2,100.

It's like the government telling you that you have to take a bath every day or every three days or just one day a week.- Paul-André Arsenault, Moncton resident

If the "offence" continues for more than one day, the fine can be multiplied by the number of days the grass remains uncut.

Victorin Duguay, who mows the grass of a property he rents near Victoria Park, told Radio-Canada he's in favour of the bylaw.

Council is expected to vote on the bylaw July 16. It includes fines starting at $140 and going up to $2,100. (Pierre Richard/Radio Canada)

He said there are places in the city where the grass and weeds haven't been cut, and the grass is up to his knees.

"Sometimes it's renters living there and the owners aren't doing their part," he said. He asked his landlord for a mower so he could cut the grass, which he believes helps reduce mosquitoes.

Moncton resident Paul-André Arsenault told Radio-Canada he mows his lawn regularly.

"It's a funny situation for the government," he said.

"It's like the government telling you that you have to take a bath every day or every three days or just one day a week. It's not always anyone else's business."

Bylaw deemed a council priority

Nicole Melanson, a spokeswoman for the city, said the bylaw was a priority for the council.

Melason said city hall hadn't tracked complaints relating to tall grasses and lawns because it wasn't something the city had the power to enforce.

Weeds along a sidewalk in Moncton. (Pierre Richard/Radio Canada)

Based on the experience in other similar-sized communities, the city expects to to see an average about 400 cases per year.

One thing they tell you in any tick prevention program is to keep your lawns cut.- Coun. Pierre Boudreau

"For this year, it's really about educating the public," Melanson said.

Coun. Pierre Boudreau said the bylaw is necessary in the fight against ticks.

"One thing they tell you in any tick prevention program is to keep your lawns cut," Boudreau said.

Melanson said the city picked the length based on limits set by other communities and "best practices."

Amanda MacNeil, the city's director of bylaw enforcement, told council the property owner, tenant or occupant of the property will be responsible for ensuring compliance.