For release: March 16, 2010

Get Ready for Yard Work Season

(Troy, MI) – Yard work season is fast approaching and Troy residents will want to make note of the following as they ready their mowers and plan for trimming shrubs:

Effective this year, Troy has a new requirement regarding lawn and grass maintenance. Cutting tall lawns and grasses located between private property lines and roads is now the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. This includes areas between fences and roads. It also includes areas between sidewalks and roads. Lawn grass and weeds must not exceed 10 inches in height in these areas and also on occupied and unoccupied private property. Ornamental plants and grasses as well as dedicated preservation areas are exempt from the cutting requirement.

Yard waste pick-up resumes in Troy beginning the week of April 5 and continues weekly through December 16. Troy homeowners can place their yard waste out on their regular weekly refuse pickup day.

Soft yard waste (grass clippings, leaves, and pencil-sized twigs) may be placed in large brown paper yard waste bags, or in 35-gallon (maximum) trash containers. Containers must have a yard waste sticker placed where it is visible, facing the road. Stickers are available at City Hall at the City Clerk's Office or Community Affairs Department, the Troy Community Center, the Troy Public Library and the Department of Public Works Office on Rochester Road.

For “non-soft” yard waste such as brush or branches that are less than two inches in diameter and less than three-feet long, residents need to bundle and tie them before placing curbside. Bundles have to weigh less than 60 pounds, and it is suggested that no more than five bundles per week be placed at the curb. Per state regulations, the bundles are considered yard waste, not trash, and will be picked up with the yard waste bags.

Questions about yard waste can be directed to the Department of Public Works at 248.524.3399 or visit the City of Troy website at www.troymi.gov/refuseandrecycling. Questions about the new grass maintenance requirement can be directed to Inspector Supervisor Paul Evans at 248.524.3359 or to his e-mail at evanspm@troymi.gov.

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