May 11, 2023 3:30 a.m. 

With the growing season well underway and wildfire season just around the corner, staff with the City of Roseburg is reminding property owners to maintain all grasses and weeds to a maximum height of twelve inches year-round.

A city release said under Roseburg Municipal Code, public and private property owners are not allowed to create a public “nuisance” through excess or “obnoxious” vegetation on any property. Failure to maintain grasses and weeds at the appropriate height could lead to fines or penalties imposed by the city. This code applies to all property and property owners, including owners of vacant properties in residential subdivisions.

Community Development Director Stuart Cowie said, “Mowing and trimming regularly helps to reduce fire risk but also prevents properties from becoming eyesores with long grass and tall weeds”. Cowie said, ”Keeping your lawn mowed and weeds trimmed regularly helps to make Roseburg a safe and beautiful place”.

The release said under Roseburg Municipal Code, “obnoxious” vegetation includes weeds, grasses or legumes taller than twelve inches; poison oak or poison ivy; vegetation that obstructs vision; vegetation including blackberry vines that extend into the public way, are used for habitation by trespassers, or pose a fire hazard because they’re near other combustibles. That does not include educational crops that aren’t a fire hazard or vision obstruction, or natural vegetation in areas designated to remain in a natural vegetative state and that don’t pose a fire hazard as determined by the Roseburg fire chief.

For more information, contact the Roseburg Community Development Department at: ccd@cityofroseburg.org or call 492-6750.