Legal Commentary

From the strange land use law files: (HT Planetizen)

CANTON City Council has unanimously approved toughening the city's high-grass and weeds law, making it possible for repeat violators to get jail time.  Council passed the legislation Monday night by a vote of 12-0. The amended law will take effect in 30 days.  Law Director Joseph Martuccio initially had expected the law change to be up for a vote later this month. However, council decided to suspend rules and hold both the second and third readings Monday.

The revised law makes a second high-grass violation a fourth-degree misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $250 and up to 30 days in jail. Existing law makes the first violation a minor misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $150 but no jail time. Violators initially are mailed a notice and given five days to mow the grass.

I suppose we can expect to see more of this as the housing crisis leads to more foreclosures and abandonment.