I recently got a very threatening warning from the city about my (lack of) landscaping in my front yard. Apparently, the DCRA will whack you with a $500 fine if you allow grass or weeds to grow more than eight inches high on your property. This includes the sidewalk grass islands in front of the home (that's what got me). Gardens, however, are ok as long as they’re well maintained.
I thought it was silly at first, but apparently, excessive weed growth can cause serious public health problems. Tall grass can cause respiratory problems like asthma and allergies and create a breeding place for mosquitoes and vermin. Not to mention it's a pretty bad fire hazard.
Don't be like me; be a good neighbor, mow your lawn. And if you see another property with wild weeds, report it to 311 – but maybe ask them nicely first.
What’s the Deal With Yard Ordinances?
Kaela Cote-Stemmermann
Don’t forget these little grassy areas on the sidewalk when mowing! The resident is responsible for maintaining them in front of their home. (@Kaela_CS/City Cast DC)
Share article
DC, Explained
The Summer of EDM is About To Hit D.C.
Fueled by new venues and social media, EDM is having a resurgence in D.C.
The Obama musical returns Washingtonians to an old, hopeful DC
This raunchy love letter to 2008 D.C. by a former Obama campaign staffer left us weeping with laughter and nostalgia.
A missing part of the teen takeover conversation
D.C. can’t stop talking about curfews. But what do teens have to say about them?
How Adams Morgan Got Its Name
How community members gave Adams Morgan a uniting cause.
Inside the Story of Elon Musk’s Failed DC Hyperloop
Before Elon Musk's DOGE there was his fantastical hyperloop. But, it went down as one of the biggest transport flops in D.C. history. We...
Mosh Madness: DC’s Next Big Music Festival Is Also a Basketball Tournament
Mosh Madness, D.C.’s premier music festival slash basketball tournament is back for its second iteration this spring. On April 11 the DMV...
Is Trump Destroying DC’s Architecture?
Between the East Wing of the White House, the proposed Arc de Trump, and whatever’s going to happen to the Kennedy Center, how will Presi...
DC Dating Off the Apps: Darts Are Flying
I’m deleting the apps and sacrificing myself as a social experiment to try D.C.’s in-person dating options so that you don’t have to. Thi...
The latest in DC
News Site NOTUS Blocked from Rebranding as The Star for Now
NOTUS was sued by the owner of The Washington Star for trademark infringement.
Your Guide to D.C. in June 2026
June is slam-packed with activities (not to mention an election!). Here’s the best things to do in D.C. this month.
Is Everyone Dropping Out of Trump’s Great American State Fair Concerts?
Vanilla Ice is still in.
Trump’s Name Must be Removed from Kennedy Center, Judge Orders
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper said the Kennedy Center’s board acted unlawfully by renaming the center without congressional appr...
The Washington Star Is Suing The Star In a Very Confusing Media Battle
The plaintiffs say Washington is a one-star town.
The Best Beaches Within 3 Hours of DC
From family-friendly boardwalks to beachside party towns, here are the best beach getaways from D.C.
As D.C. Weighs Budget Cuts, Families Fear Loss of Youth Mental Health Support
Under the proposed budget, D.C.'s sole mental health crisis team for kids would be shuttered — part of a broader slate of cuts that would...
Transcript: City Cast DC's Interview with Janeese Lewis George
You know, I think a lot of the things that we had when I was a young person, are a lot of the things we need to just reinvest back in.
