Keep an eye on your grass: Fairfax County’s Department of Code Compliance (DCC) will start investigating grass complaints starting today (Monday).
In a newsletter last week, Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw noted that today marks the start of “grass season,” the period when the county accepts complaints about too-tall grass. The season typically lasts from April through October.
According to Walkinshaw:
The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) will start receiving and investigating grass complaints on Monday, April 14. Grass complaints can be submitted by telephone at (703) 324-1300 or through the PLUS system.
Grass height is regulated by the Fairfax County Vegetation Ordinance. Generally, grass may not be taller than 12-inches on any vacant or occupied residential property less than ½-acre (21,780 square feet) in area. For any commercial property, the property needs to be a vacant developed property with no limitation on lot size.
Upon receiving a complaint, DCC inspectors will visit the subject property and measure its grass. If the grass exceeds the height allowed by the county code, DCC will place a bright green placard at the property and send a notice informing the owner of the violation.
The grass is then re-inspected after 14 days and, if it’s been cut, the case is closed. If not, a contractor is sent to cut the grass, and the property owner is invoiced for the cost of the cut.
