Elk Grove Officials Say Crackdown On Overgrown Hedges A Safety Issue
ELK GROVE (CBS13) — Homeowners in Elk Grove could face costly fines for not trimming overgrown hedges and bushes and the code enforcement department begins a spring cleaning program.
Shane Diller says the penalty could be up to $500, but that's for extreme cases only.
City leaders are demanding residents comply with a strict code demanding residents comply with a strict code requiring hedges between homes or at intersections reaching the city sidewalk be cut back at least 10 feet from the sidewalk and no taller than three-feet high.
It's not just about trimming blight, but a growing awareness of safety.
"It creates what we call a clear vision triangle so the people coming and leaving the driveway or an intersection will be able to see kids coming down the street or cars or that sort of thing," he said.
Diller says overgrown hedges obstruct the view of drivers, creating a potentially dangerous situation. He says neighbors not complying will get several warnings.
Mitzi and Steve Crozier have lived in Elk Grove for decades and said it's never been a problem in the past.
"Elk Grove is too freaking ridiculous on all their restrictions," Steve said.
But Diller says it's not about fines, but problem prevention.
"We feel like the proactivity that we do with the spring cleaning helps us to solve problems before they become problems people complain about," he said.
City officials say if a resident can't afford to pay for the modifications, they work with several nonprofit organizations that will do the work for free.
