Landscaping and lawn care businesses be warned!

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

May 17, 2017

Don't dump commercial grass clippings in residential neighborhoods!

At their May 16, 2017 Regular Meeting the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) adopted on Second and Final Reading Ordinance 2017-09, which prohibits the placement of yard waste, trash or rubbish on residential property by a business. No one from the public spoke, and the ordinance was adopted unanimously and becomes effective immediately.

Following First Reading City Attorney Tammi Bach revised the ordinance to clarify that nothing in the ordinance would prohibit residential property owners from combining their yard waste in one location on a street with consent of property owners. Such a move would make pick up easier for waste haulers as well.

And that goes for landscaping debris, too!

City Code Enforcement has received complaints that some residents have allowed businesses to dump yard waste on their property within the City. Lawn care or landscapers appear to be the likely businesses doing this. The Code amendment makes it clear that property owners who know or should have known that yard waste, trash or rubbish from other property(s) is being dumped on their property by businesses will be in violation of the City Code and subject to penalties: $100 citation for the first offense; $200 citation for the second offense; and $300 for the third offense. These fines apply to violations occurring within a five (5) year period.

Editor's Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne's many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.