Tried a 'rewilding' patch in my backyard and got a nasty surprise

I set aside a 10x10 area in my yard last spring, stopped mowing it, and planted some native wildflowers from a kit I found online. Thought it would be a cute little ecosystem for bees and butterflies. Instead my neighbor complained to the city about 'neglected vegetation' and I got a $75 fine and a notice to clean it up within 2 weeks. Totally backfired, has anyone else run into local rules that punish you for trying to do something good for the environment?

3 comments

3 Comments

avery_flores1724d ago

Oh man, that's rough. I had a similar thing happen but with a "rain garden" I tried to put in near my downspout. Thought it would be a nice way to catch runoff and help with drainage, you know? Instead the city inspector came by because my neighbor reported me for "creating a drainage hazard" or something like that. Turned into a whole back and forth with the zoning office, had to get a permit after the fact and prove I wasn't digging into any utility lines. Took like three months and I just ended up filling it in with gravel anyway. Takes the fun right out of trying to do something good.

murphy.aaron24d ago

Wait, they actually fined you $75 for planting flowers? That is insane lol. I always thought those "no mow May" type things were encouraged by cities for the environment. Guess I better check my own local rules before I try anything similar.

jade51724d ago

Ugh that's so frustrating. Same thing happened to me when I tried a little pollinator patch in my front yard. City code said grass can't be over 6 inches tall and I got a warning letter before I even got the flowers settled. Totally kills the motivation to try when you're just getting punished for it.

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