LYNNWOOD — Lawns with grass taller than 8 inches are now illegal in this city.
Placing the restriction on unsightly yards was one of several steps the City Council took on Monday to tighten up its nuisance ordinance.
Provisions also were added to rules governing overnight parking of trucks in residential areas and “mother-in-law” apartments.
“It is unfortunate that this ordinance has been tagged as the ‘grass ordinance,’ since there is only a couple of lines in the whole ordinance addressing lawns,” Councilman Loren Simmonds said. “This is not government weighing in on little people. We are simply trying to encourage property owners to take pride in their property.”
Two people spoke on the yard maintenance issue at a meeting Monday, both in favor. A public hearing on the issue was held last month.
The new ordinance cites “lack of yard maintenance” as the litmus test spurring code enforcement. Over the course of discussion a residence with blackberry brambles growing over the house and encroaching on a neighbor’s property was cited as an example of what city officials want to halt.
“People are tired of slipping property values because their neighbors have no pride of ownership,” Councilwoman Kerri Lonergan said. “I reluctantly support this ordinance because of what I heard while doorbelling this summer. It is a No. 1 concern of residents.”
The dissenting vote was cast by Councilman Jim Smith.
“I don’t like the idea of government coming in and telling people what they can and cannot do with their yards. What’s next, regulating peeling paint?”
Earlier in the evening the council voted to restrict overnight parking of trucks to one vehicle, 16,500 gross vehicle weight and under, on private property per address.
Paul Krauss, the city’s community development director, said most cities place a variety of restrictions on commercial trucks and where they can park overnight.
Lynnwood had no such restrictions, he said, except for a limitation on parking semi-trucks for a few hours in the middle of the night.
The only exception allows for parking while providing services to a home. The council action followed public comment last month.
Council members Mark Smith, Kimberly Cole and Ted Hikel voted no on the measure.
The council approved several rules pertaining to mother-in-law apartments, or accessory dwelling units. City rules previously allowed mother-in-law apartments that are attached to the main house. City Council members disagreed on whether the city should allow detached apartments.
According to the updated rules, the apartment still must be attached to the primary home; the homeowner must live in the main space or the apartment; minimum apartment size is 800 square feet; the minimum property size is 8,400 square feet; and there must be one on-property parking space added for every bedroom in the apartment.
Simmonds cast the dissenting vote.
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