6 Things Mississippians Can Be Fined for in Their Yard

That puddle in your yard that never drains could end with a bill from the city.

Here’s what Mississippians can be fined for in their own yard, and where your city’s rules come in.

Note: This is general information, not legal advice. City ordinances and penalty amounts vary and are subject to change, so confirm the current rules with your city or county code enforcement office.

1. Overgrown Grass and Weeds

Overgrown grass in your yard can land you a cleanup bill in McComb once it passes 12 inches on a lot next to a sidewalk.

Weeds can’t spill over the sidewalk either.

If the problem stays, McComb can clean the lot and charge you the cost plus a penalty of $250 or 25% of the cost, whichever is greater.

State law lets a city cut grass and weeds on a property it finds to be a menace and bill the owner.

Following a hearing, the city can add a penalty of up to $1,500 or 50% of the cleaning cost, whichever is more.

The cost and any penalty may become a civil debt against you as the property owner.

2. Junk Vehicles

Junk vehicles in your yard run into McComb’s code, which bars any inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicle from being parked, kept or stored on any premises.

Legal action can be taken to bring property into compliance.

Another McComb rule bars any vehicle from sitting in a state of major disassembly or disrepair.

Starkville lists junk vehicles among the violations its code inspectors handle.

Its inspectors try to work with violators by issuing a Violation Notice with a time to correct the problem.

If the violation isn’t corrected, a Notice of Fine will be issued.

From there, the matter goes to Municipal Court, where a judge can issue a judgment that results in fines, assessments and additional fees.

3. Trash Piles

Under state law, a city can remove rubbish from your yard and bill you for the cleanup, plus its administrative costs and legal costs.

A city doesn’t need a neighbor to complain, since it can hold the hearing on its own motion.

McComb also makes it unlawful to let garbage, refuse or rubbish of any kind accumulate in your yard.

Storing it in an authorized manner is the exception.

4. Standing Water

Standing water in your yard is one of the conditions Mississippi law lets a city drain and bill to the owner.

A city can act only on property found to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community.

McComb makes it unlawful to have old tires or containers lying about your property in which mosquitoes breed or are able to breed.

5. Burning During a Ban

Burning in your yard during a county burn ban can bring a fine of at least $100 and no more than $500.

A knowing and willful violation is a misdemeanor.

County boards of supervisors normally request burn bans, so whether one is in effect depends on your county.

The Forestry Commission approves the requests, and the local sheriff's department enforces the ban.

6. Dilapidated Fences and Buildings

Dilapidated fences and buildings in your yard are on the same state-law list as grass and rubbish.

A city can remove an abandoned or dilapidated fence and bill you for the work.

The list also covers abandoned or dilapidated buildings, outside toilets and slabs.

A falling-apart shed could count as a dilapidated building.

A city can also secure an abandoned or dilapidated building.

Smaller Cleanups

Small yard cleanups follow a separate track under the same state law.

It covers a parcel of one acre or less where the cleanup costs $250 or less, excluding administrative costs.

A city can authorize an employee to decide whether your property qualifies, but only in a municipality with a population over 1,500.

That track caps the penalty at $100 or 100% of the actual cost, whichever is more.

The city sends you notice by mail seven days before the cleanup.

Open Burning Without a Ban

A yard fire can break state rules even when your county has no burn ban.

Open burning of residential solid waste is prohibited under Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) rules, with certain exceptions.

MDEQ doesn't issue open burning permits.

For local rules, contact your county or city officials.

Permits for agricultural and silvicultural open burning come from the Forestry Commission.

Starkville's Other Violations

Starkville's code enforcement page lists more violation types than junk vehicles and overgrown lots.

Outdoor storage, off-street parking, prohibited signs and tree protection are on the list, along with general nuisance and noise in a residential area.

The city typically sends a Points of Collection notice when trash, recycling bags or containers are left at the curb on a day pickup doesn't run in that area.

Curbside Trash Rules