Spring City property owners now face a faster enforcement timeline for overgrown grass and weeds after borough council adopted Ordinance 591 on Monday.
The ordinance, titled Vegetation and Overgrowth, prohibits property owners from allowing grass, weeds, and other vegetation to grow taller than 10 inches and requires violations to be corrected within five days of receiving notice.
Borough Manager Kisha Tyler said the 10-inch limit is already part of the borough's property maintenance code. The major change is how quickly property owners must address a violation.
"It's just that you don't get 30 days anymore," Tyler said. "You need to address it."
The ordinance incorporates recommendations from the borough's environmental advisory council (EAC). In August, the EAC recommended increasing the proposed vegetation limit from six inches to 10 inches to match the borough's existing standard.
If vegetation exceeds 10 inches, the borough can notify the property owner and give them five days to correct the issue. Continued violations can result in fines, and the borough can have the property cut and charge the owner for the work.
The ordinance includes exceptions for agricultural uses and managed meadows. Managed meadows are intentionally maintained areas of native grasses, wildflowers, and similar plants designed to support ecological health while maintaining a cared-for appearance.
Notifying Residents
Councilor Sara Woll questioned how the borough would inform residents of the shorter enforcement timeline, noting that the most recent edition of borough's biannual newsletter had already been distributed.
Tyler said code enforcement officers would likely give offending property owners some warning before formally citing them.
"We're not just going to slam the people," Tyler said.
She said the ordinance should be added to the borough's online code within about 15 days.
The EAC, chaired by Councilor Dylan Hutchinson, reviewed the environmental portions of the ordinance but did not make recommendations regarding fines or enforcement timelines.
The group also recommended simplifying the managed meadow exemption by removing proposed restrictions on trees and shrubs and a requirement addressing state-listed noxious and invasive species.
