Why Weed Control?
The question has arisen from time to time, especially during the summer time of the year, why worry about controlling the weeds. Certainly, with the monsoon season upon us, the weeds appear to be taking over any spare piece of dirt and even the areas with vegetation already growing. Some of the larger problems with the additional weed growth consist of increased allergies, more camouflage for rodents, snakes and insects (to include mosquitos) and of course simply, unsightly. Additionally, the weed growth will reduce the area for native vegetation to grow, including that lawn that you’ve paid good money to water, cultivate and maintain. For more information reference mosquitos.
Different Types of Weeds
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture, as well as the New Mexico State University, College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental, have identified over 40 different types of weeds in our area. With the number of different species in the area, it is easy to understand the reason for the concern.
Nuisance
The City of Las Cruces Municipal Code has defined the word “Nuisance” as Nuisance means any person doing an unlawful act, omitting to perform a duty, or suffering or permitting any condition or thing to be or exist, which act omission, condition or thing either:
- Essentially interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property, or tends to depreciate the value of the property of others
- In any way renders other persons insecure in life or the use of a property
- Injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of others
- Is offensive to the senses
- Offends decency
- Unlawfully interferes with, obstructs or tends to obstruct or renders dangerous for passage any public or private street, highway, sidewalk, stream, ditch or drainage
The City of Las Cruces Municipal Code states; Section 18 to 2. – Illustrative enumeration. The maintaining, using, placing, depositing, leaving or permitting to be or remain on any public or private property of any of the following items, conditions or actions is declared to be and constitute a nuisance, provided that this enumeration shall not be deemed or construed to be conclusive, limiting or restrictive noxious weeds and other rank vegetation.
Violation of the Code
Except as otherwise provided, a person convicted of a violation of this Code shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both. For violations of this Code that are continuous with respect to time, each day the violation continues is a separate offense.
Photo Reference
Occasionally, Codes Officers are asked, “How tall do the weeds have to be before we get a ticket?” View the photographs and ask yourself “which would require a citation or need to be addressed?”
Truth is both needs to be addressed. Figure Number 1 you see small weeds growing but they are overtaking the ground covering the area. Obviously, the weeds in Figure Number 2 are extremely overgrown. And yes, those are tumbleweeds next to Codes Officer J. Ontiveros. Go to the CLCTV 20 YouTube page for a video “What do Las Cruces Codes officers look for when they write citations for weeds violations.“
Keep Las Cruces Beautiful
The City of Las Cruces is our city and keeping the weeds maintained as best as possible is important. For our health, our safety and it is simply more appealing. Please do your part to Keep Las Cruces Beautiful!