By Jamie Birdwell-Branson
As a homeowner, you have the responsibility to keep your home safe, clean, and in compliance with city ordinances. While you may already be aware that you’re not supposed to let your grass get too tall, there are other common code violations that you should know about so you can avoid getting a hefty fine from your city. Want to get the city off your back? Here are the 10 most surprising things a homeowner can be fined for.
Missing or Loose Handrails on Stairs or Decks
Handrails are more than just a decorative feature on your staircase—they’re usually legally required for safety reasons. If you have outdoor steps that have an unsecured handrail or no handrail at all, your city may have the right to fine you until you get it fixed.
Obstructing Your Address Number
If you’re a fan of the “more is more” approach to your yard, just be careful not to let your landscaping get so lush that it obstructs your address number. Obstructed address numbers are a violation of code compliance because the fire, police, and ambulance personnel need to be able to identify your home in case of an emergency.
Clotheslines in the Front Yard
Hanging clothes to dry is a more environmentally friendly way to do laundry, but many cities—like the city of Southgate, California—frown upon stringing a clothesline in the front yard. So, if you must hang laundry out to dry, do it in the backyard to avoid a violation.
Stagnant Water
Heavy rains or flooding can cause puddles to form in your yard, in buckets or in other outdoor containers—but did you know that you can get in trouble if you let that water sit for too long? Stagnant water is not only unsightly, but it can also be a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitos, which poses a health risk for you and your neighborhood.
Broken Windows
If a neighbor kid hit your front window with a baseball, you may not want to sit on it for too long. Broken windows cause more than a dicey appearance, drafty interior, and a security risk—they may be illegal and result in you being hit with a hefty fine.
Putting Your Garbage Can Out Too Early
You may think that getting your trash can and recycling bins out to the curb early makes you a responsible homeowner, but think again. In towns like Hallandale Beach, Florida, getting your bins out to the curb before 6 p.m. the preceding day of pickup can result in a fine.
