In Bismarck Can You Legally Make Your Neighbor Cut His Lawn?

This has been a pretty wet spring/summer, and my lawn has never looked better.

I fertilized a couple of times and put down some preemergent crabgrass, which may have also helped me out.

I'm cutting my grass on the highest level on my mower, and about once a week, although as fast as it's growing, I may have to move that up to twice a week.

As you drive around Bismarck, Mandan, and Lincoln, I don't think I've ever seen it look so green in the Captial Region.

Some of my neighbors have opted not to mow their lawns during this wet period.

This wet period we've been in for a while might be ending.  According to the long-term forecasts, we may not see any significant rain for up to 10 days.

Did you know it can be damaging to your lawn if you cut it too short during a heatwave or drought, however, you can still cut it according to an article in Popular Mechanics.  You should never take off more than one-third of the grass blades.

One of my neighbors on my block has got his undies in a bundle because his next-door neighbor is just letting his lawn go.  He hasn't mowed his lawn all year.  To be fair, his neighbor's lawn looks more like a CRP field.  Small children could get lost in his backyard.  He wants to call the city on him, but will it actually do any good?

I sat down with the former Mayor of Bismarck, Steve Bakken, and here's what he told me you can do.

You may file a complaint with the city.  You can call either Bismarck Police or Bismarck Public Works.  The city will then mail them a notice to cut their lawn or else?

If they fail to do so after the notice, the city of Bismarck will contract somebody else to mow it for them.  This will end up costing your neighbor a LOT more, than what you would pay the kid down the street to cut your lawn.

I personally prefer to mind my own business, rather than "tattle tale" on your neighbor to city officials.  They may have a very good reason for not cutting their lawn.  You never know what they could be going through.  Maybe try asking them if they need help.  Anyway, if you prefer to be "that guy", now you know your recourse.