This public service announcement serves as a reminder that blowing or depositing grass clippings into any City street is prohibited. Reasons this is not permitted include: 1) Grass clippings, leaves, and other lawn debris can clog storm drains, resulting in street and private property flooding. 2) Storm drains flow directly to local lakes untreated. Grass clippings add unnecessary nutrients, which help feed harmful algae blooms. 3) Clippings can make the street slippery and hazardous for bicyclists and motorcyclists.
Using a mulching mower puts clippings back into the turf and keeps the nutrients where they belong. Should you choose to use a discharging mower, please be sure to point the blower toward your property (away from the street) to prevent clippings from leaving your lawn.
When finished mowing, be sure to use a blower, broom, or rake to clean up any grass clippings or debris that have inadvertently made their way into the street, sidewalk, or storm drain. Mowers may also choose to bag clippings, but they may not be disposed of in the garbage totes. City residents are encouraged to compost clippings on their property or take them to the City’s compost site.
City Code – Chapter 12.08 – STREET OBSTRUCTIONS
Sections:
12.08.010 – Prohibited.
(a) No person, except as provided in Section 12.08.020, shall place, deposit, keep, or cause to be placed,
deposited or kept in or upon any street, alley, gutter, sidewalk or public ground within the limits of this city any
stone, brick, timber, lumber, iron, wood or other material for building, or any wood, snow, rubbish, earth, grass
clippings or lawn debris, or anything or substance whatever; nor shall any person burn or cause to be burned any
such substance in any public street or alley; nor shall any person leave any automobile, truck, trailer, equipment or
other vehicle standing or parked in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, or public ground so as to encumber the
same, or so as to obstruct, impede, or hinder travel thereon; nor shall any person leave, or cause to suffer any box,
barrel, crate, cask, bale, package, merchandise, or other thing to stand, be or remain upon any street, alley,
sidewalk, gutter, or public ground longer than may be actually necessary for the act of delivering or receiving the
same.
(b) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall forfeit and pay a penalty of not less than twenty-
five dollars not more than two hundred fifty dollars, together with the costs of prosecution.
(Ord. 983 §51, 1982; prior code §6.01(1))
(Ord. No. 1759A, § 1, 2-16-2010)
Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov
