New bill could enforce property maintenance in Sussex Co.

DOVER, Del. – State officials in Dover are looking to introduce legislation that would allow the Sussex County Council to fine residents who allow trash and weeds to accumulate on their property.

The house bill, which has not been introduced yet comes after residents complained about tall grass and a trash problem in Sussex County. According to Representative Ruth Briggs King, if the legislation passes county officials would be allowed to issue civil fines if property owners are caught with grass or weeds at 12 inches or higher.

Currently, these officials do not have the power to enact these sort of regulations. King said violators could be charged with a fine of up to $5,000 dollars.

“We can move a little bit faster if we try to clean up some of these eye sores,” said King, “But, there can also be health hazards when you have piles of wastes that are accumulating when you have some other issues with tall grass and we all know the things that can happen with tall grass.”

The representative said that the drafting of the legislation is based on existing regulations in Kent County.