Tall Grass & Weeds

Who Writes Citations?

Forestry Division Employees have been given authority to write Administrative Citations to enforce the existing Tall Grass and Noxious Weeds ordinance.

Why Did My Property Receive a Citation?

The property was determined to have either the presence of noxious weeds on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Eradicate List, or tall grass measuring 12’’ in height or greater. City dispatched Tall Grass and Weeds removal contractors are required to take before and after photos of the property found in violation.  The photos document the conditions and can be provided as requested.  Please call 507-328-2515 to request photos.

What are the Two Parts of the Bill?

The first page of the bill is for the administrative citation written by the Tall Grass and Weeds Inspector.  The amount depends on the number of violations in 1 year period.

The second bill is for the contractor's services to remove the tall grass and weeds.  The City hires the contractors and directs them to mow tall grass and herbaceous vegetation and/or abate noxious weeds after a validated inspection by City staff. The property owner is billed for contractor services after the City receives the Invoice.

We are required to provide citation recipients with an opportunity to appeal the citation within 10 days; therefore, we mail the citation as soon as possible after it is issued.

Where Do I Pay My Citation and Contractor Services Bill?

To view assessments online or make a payment from your savings or checking account, visit our website www.rochestermn.gov/assessments. Properties can be looked up by street address or 12-digit parcel identification number.

Payments can be made in the Office of the City Clerk, 201 Fourth Street SE, Room 135, Rochester, Minnesota 55904, in person or by mail. Please bring or return this notice with your remittance. For information on payments, contact Rochester's 311 team at 507-328-2311.

What are the Administrative Fine Costs Associated with the Citation and Contractor Services?

Administrative Citations increase per violation if more than one is received in a calendar year period.

Administrative Fine Costs

Residential & Commercial:

• 1st Citation: $60
• 2nd Citation: $90
• 3rd Citation or more: $120

An administrative charge of $25.00 shall be due upon mailing of the notice of proposed assessment.

Enforcement is complaint-driven.  Forestry receives complaints and sends an inspector to determine whether the complaint is valid per COR 8-5. Complaints can be submitted by calling the Forestry Department main office (507-328-2515) or by email.

Family Service Rochester provides lawn mowing and yard services for individuals aged 60+ and adults with disabilities.

Persons registered with the service have lawns mowed generally every 7 - 10 days, depending on growth.

The service is provided by either local volunteers or vendors.

The fee-for-service is based on income.

To register for lawn service, contact Family Service Rochester at 507-287-2010.

The registration process requires a home visit by an FSR staff person. During the home visit, the staff explain the service and gather information necessary to register, including income verification, to establish the appropriate fee.

Once registration is complete, FSR matches consumers with a volunteer or vendor as appropriate. Consumers are billed monthly for lawn service during that month.

The service must be renewed annually.

When considering filing a complaint, please consider the following;

• Review the ordinance-is this a violation? Turf grasses must be over 12" in height in an area greater than 200 square feet. Other vegetation is permitted. MDA noxious weeds must be eradicated. 
• Determine whether you are adversely affected by what you see and whether it constitutes a violation. 
• Consider how you can help the person become compliant rather than file a complaint. There are many unfortunate situations that can create a violation. Being a good neighbor can go a long way. 
• Please limit complaints to one location per complaint.

You can submit a violation through Rochester's 311.