Removal of Brush and Limbs

I know you resolved your issue but I thought I would mention that in our neighborhood we have an elderly, retired couple that made it their 'hobby' to drive the area and report code violations----they called the city so much that the city will no longer respond when they call.

I have found it very helpful to read the various codes. I happen to live in OP where there are rules about everything --- including that the city workers can come into your backyard to look for code violations. (They can have access to the entire yard and if something is visible to any of the neighbors you have to fix/move etc)

Some of my neighbors wrote me a 'nasty' note ---and then said they were giving me a chance to clean it before they called the city...Well I don't know when they mailed the note b/c I got the note on a Monday and got the letter from the city on Tues. (So they didn't wait at all to call us in) On that visit from the city no fewer than 5 houses got 'written up'-- including one neighbor who was cited for having their trailer TWO INCHES too FAR forward in their driveway. (A number of these neighbors decided that they were being harassed -- and the city worker who used to go through our neighborhood has been 'reassigned'....KOW it has been over a year since I heard of any of our neighbors getting written up.

I do not know of someone to remove it....but I wanted to tell you that in my city it is illegal to have piles of brush in your yard (front or back) and if turned into the city you will have 10 days to remove it or be fined plus charged for the city to remove it. I have my house up for sale and know this because I checked with the city because I have a neighbor who has a lot of junk in his backyard along with several brush piles. I went to him and talked to him before turning him in and he cleaned it up without problems. I had people looking at my house giving feedback that they love the house but hate the neighbors backyard. As for your other neighbor's house selling for more....maybe they payed closing cost and raised the price to accomodate for that. If you like the birds maybe put up some bird feeders instead. You could try "craisglist.org" for brush removal people. Sorry if I didn't give you the answer you wanted.

S.,

I'm an enviro lawyer from Arizona, and know the laws on this there (not here). But in Arizona, something like that would be considered an eyesore if it was visible from the street - in the front or side yard, for example. If it was a fire hazard, it might also be illegal from that perspective.

If you really want to keep the pile there (I've heard of cases of insect infestation in piles like that), you ought to call the city information desk and without telling them where you live, ask to talk to whomever is in charge of yard messes, and find out the rules. If you can do what you like in your backyard, you don't need to worry about being intimidated by your neighbor. If there are rules, at least you'll know what they really are.

You can always put up bird feeders!

sorry you have that kind of neighbor, my parents do also and its made them really hate their otherwise lovely neighborhood. We've also got a pile of brush that builds up and you're right, the birds love it. There is a brush service that comes around every so often, I dont know what their terms are, but the're only around twice a year anyway. Bulky item pick up will pick up brush, but they are picky about it. If you call them they can tell you what those terms are. Or, you can just call her bluff, see if she calls the city and if they contact you, have the proof ready that you're yard isnt affecting home values at all.

Hi,
Would you happen to live on either Vermont or Englewood in Raytown? I have the very same neighbor! My brush pile isn't very big and I haul it off every fall and start over again.

Traci.

I would see about making it a "wildlife reserve" for birds. Your city should know about it. I know a lady that made her whole yard a wildlife reserve and even had signs stating it and everything.