Cut long grass or Markham will fine you $447 plus cost to do it

YorkRegion.com
June 9, 2017
Tim Kelly

When it comes to not cutting your grass, it's three strikes and you're out — at least $447 — and that's before the City cuts the grass for you.

If someone complains your grass is more than six inches long, the maximum City bylaws state it can grow before it must be cut, the City will send out a staffer to give you a warning. The first warning will cost you $62.

If you don't conform, and you get warned a second time, that's a $125 ticket. A third warning if you don't cut your grass and it's a $260 ticket, bringing the grand total to $447.

And that's where the costs can begin to really add up.

According to the City, it contracts out the grass-cutting 20 to 40 times a year for city bylaw-breakers, and it isn't inexpensive to have your lawn cut.

It will run you $68 per hour to have a contractor cut your lawn, a lot more dear than having that kid down the block take a mower to your grass — or doing it yourself.

So a few hours or so of grass-cutting could cost you upwards of $600 or more when you add in the City fines and the work of contractors.

A look at one example of grass-growing gone wild at 88 Southdale Dr. in the McCowan Road-Hwy. 7 area of Markham, revealed  a huge lawn that size would take a contractor three hours or so to tackle.

A neighbour thought the three-foot-tall weeds and grass was "disgusting" considering most of the properties in the rest of the neighbourhood were relatively well-kept.

Despite neighbour Mary Lou Hinds saying she had called the City complaining several times about the property and being told staff were too swamped to do anything about it, the City said it has no record of staff making such comments.

The City confirms it has received a complaint about 88 Southdale and is issuing an order to have the grass cut. If it is not cut, the City will have the grass cut and charge the owner for the service.