Weed woes in Post Falls

POST FALLS - There's a nuisance problem in Post Falls which has grown like weeds this year.

Post Falls Police has had more than 130 weed violation cases this year compared to 60 all of last year. The case load is expected to continue to increase as August is typically the worst month.

"This year the weed season started early due to the large amounts of rain we got this spring," said Ashleigh Schild, the city's code enforcement officer. "This has required property owners to mow their vacant lots a couple times instead of just once like in prior years."

The problem started in April, then has increasingly worsened throughout the summer, she said.

The overgrowth is found in residential yards, vacant lots and public rights of way. It can become a breeding ground for rodents and insects and, when it dies, becomes a fire hazard.

Schild said it is residents' responsibility to knock down weeds in their rights of way, including alleys, swales and fence lines.

Grass and weeds need to be limited to 8 inches tall maximum under the city's nuisance code.

Schild said the department is trying to be more proactive than reactive this year when it comes to unsightly conditions.

"More citizens are being contacted and we are filing and receiving more complaints," she said.

However, education, rather than fines, remains the first stop to seeking compliance.

"We always inform the responsible party the first time we have contact with them of the possibility of there being a citation if they don't comply," Schild said. "We always try to work with the citizens and give them ample opportunity to come into compliance."

Schild said alleged violators will try to be reached by phone and, if unsuccessful, then by a certified letter stating they have seven to 14 days to comply. Communication is key during the process and can sometimes lead to flexibility before a fine is issued.

The first citation is a $100 fine. If the problem is still not corrected after five days, the penalty can be up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail.

But no fines have been issued this year, Schild said.

"We have come close ... ," she said. "I think the public should be fairly well educated by now."

Schild said some residents aren't aware that a swale, an alley adjacent to their back yard or other rights of way are their responsibility to mow.

"This is a major issue in Post Falls and the appearance of the city would greatly improve if these areas were kept up," she said.

Neighbors also don't like the possibility of the weeds spreading to their yards when they haven't been abated.

The city in April sent a letter to about 10,000 homes, notifying residents of the weed and abandoned vehicle ordinance.

"After this letter was sent, the number of complaints has increased," Schild said. "I think some of the citizens weren't aware and now they are, and this has increased the number of violations we have dealt with this year."

According to a recent citizen survey, nuisance issues such as overgrown weeds are a problem in the city.

For more information on weed issues in Post Falls, call Schild at 773-3517.