Jasper addresses weed ordinance violators

Jasper has sent out 27 “weed violation letters” to city residents and property owners who are in violation of the city’s weed ordinance so far this year.

The weed ordinance states that property owners cannot allow the grass on a property to grow taller than nine inches. It also identifies Johnson grass and Canadian thistle as noxious weeds and forbids them from growing on properties in the city.

Complaints for property code violations can be made .

According to Fire Chief Kenny Hochgesang, who is also the city code enforcement officer, the city has mowed three properties that were not in compliance. If the city mows the property, they can place a lien on the property to recoup the cost of the work from the property owner. Additionally, after the first complaint in a calendar year is abated, and subsequent complaints will also carry fines for the property owner. Those amounts for each subsequent offenses are $25, $50 and $100.

Besides a list of weed violations, Hochgesang also presented violations for trash accumulation, fences in disrepair (fence posts without fencing) and trailer violations.

Many of the property owners have already responded and brought their properties into compliance.