Mowing

Why is it important to keep grass clippings off streets and sidewalks?

One of the simplest things you can do to protect our waterways is keep grass clippings off streets, sidewalks, and driveways!

This may sound like a little thing because grass clippings are small and natural, but when everyone cuts their grass all summer long, that adds up to a lot of clippings! When grass clippings land on the sidewalk or in the street, they can be washed directly into local streams and lakes through storm drains. Clippings carry fertilizers to waterways and the grass itself also breaks down into nutrients. The nutrients and fertilizers from grass clippings feed algae and can turn a beautiful pond, lake, or other waterway into a blue and green mess! Something we can all agree we don’t want to see in our waterways!

How can I help protect our waterways when I mow?

Help protect our waterways by paying attention to where your grass clippings end up. Make sure to mow in a direction that keeps grass clippings away from the street, sidewalk, and driveway. If you end up with some grass clippings in any of these locations, use a blower or even a broom to remove any grass clippings that land on these surfaces. Besides helping to protect our waterways, you are also helping protect your pocketbook. Did you know that most municipalities have city ordinances that can result in fines if you have grass clippings that end up in the street?

What should I do if I see grass clippings in the street?

Check out the list of Rock River Stormwater Group municipal ordinances dealing with grass clippings and yard waste below, and make sure to let your neighbors know how they can help Protect Wisconsin’s Waterways! When you and your neighbor avoid fines and protect our waterways, everybody wins. If a landscaping or lawn mowing contractor is responsible for the grass clippings in the street, make sure they know too. You can also report an illicit discharge to your local municipality to make them aware of the ordinance violation.

What other mowing tips will help Protect Wisconsin’s Waterways and save me money?

Check out Splash’s other tips for lawn care maintenance that not only help the environment and our waterways, but can also save you money as a homeowner!

Check out Splash's tips for mowing your lawn and keeping grass clippings out of our waterways!

“Mow it High & Let it Lie”

Splash
  • Mow High: Set your mower at the highest possible setting, usually between 2.5” and 3”. This does two things: first, taller grass plants have healthier roots, which leads to a better, thicker turf that can withstand drought, and second, the taller, thicker grass shades out weeds.
  • Mow Sharp: Sharpen your mower’s blades two to three times each year. Dull blades tear the grass instead of cutting it. The torn blades dry out, giving the grass jagged brown or white tips.
  • Let it Lie: One popular lawn care misconception is that leaving clippings on the lawn after mowing causes thatch buildup. However, the truth is that thatch is caused at the root level, not from grass clippings. Instead of raking clippings into the street, leave them on your lawn where they are less likely to wash away. The pieces break down quickly and provide nitrogen when they decompose, doing the same job as the expensive fertilizers bought in stores. Letting grass clippings stay on the lawn will allow you to skip one fertilizer application and reduces the number of waste bags needed to collect and store the clippings.
  • Finally, become a stormdrain protector and learn more ways to prevent stormwater pollution around your home!

Rock River Stormwater Group City Ordinances on Grass Clippings

What is the City of Beaver Dam’s ordinance related to grass clippings and other yard waste?

No property owner or occupant required to mow grass shall permit grass trimmings resulting from the mowing of lawns or tree borders to be deposited onto the travelable portion of any street, public alley or public parking lot. Grass trimmings deposited onto the travelable portion of any street shall be immediately removed. (Sec 50-11(b)

What is the City of Beloit’s ordinance related to grass clippings and other yard waste?

No person shall place any solid waste, yard waste, liquid waste, hazardous waste, human waste, animal waste or litter upon the streets, alleys, highways, public parks or other property of the City or upon any private property not owned by him or upon the surface of any body of water within the City. In this subsection, the phrases “solid waste,” “hazardous waste,” and “yard” waste in any park waste receptacle except waste generated by picnic or other park activities. (Ch 15.20)

What is the City of Fort Atkinson’s ordinance related to grass clippings and other yard waste?

It shall be unlawful for any person to dispose of or dump garbage in any street, alley, or other public place within the city or in any receptacles or on private property without the owner’s consent unless it is placed in containers in the manner and at the time specified by this article. (Sec 86-171(b)(1))

What is the City of Janesville’s ordinance related to grass clippings and other yard waste?

It is unlawful to place or cause to be placed any grass, grass clippings, or other lawn debris on any street or highway at anytime. (Sec 12.44.050(B))

What is the City of Jefferson’s ordinance related to grass clippings and other yard waste?

The following act is hereby declared to be a public nuisance affecting peace and safety: Blowing grass clippings and raking leaves into streets. In the interests of public safety, and general welfare, community appearance and efficiency of operation, it shall be unlawful to rake, place, or mow fallen tree leaves or grass clippings on to the pavement or into the gutter of any public street unless directed by the City of Jefferson. (Sec 197-8(P))

What is the City of Milton’s ordinance related to grass clippings and other yard waste?

No person shall intentionally or unintentionally throw, dump, drop off, or cause in any manner glass, rubbish, waste, filth, dirt, gravel or mud or any other type of refuse to be deposited upon the streets, alleys, highways, public parks or other property of the city or upon any private property not owned by him or upon the surface of any body of water within the city. (Sec 50-152)

What is the City of Watertown’s ordinance related to grass clippings and other yard waste?

The depositing or placement of any type of yard waste, including grass clippings, leaves, or tree branches or any other yard waste, in the paved portion of any road or alley is hereby prohibited. The Watertown Public Works Commission shall be responsible for establishing a written policy regarding the enforcement of this section. The Watertown Street Superintendent and Assistant Street Superintendent shall have the authority to issue citations to persons who violate this section. (B) The penalty for persons violating this section shall be $25 per occurrence plus court costs and assessments. Each violation and each day a violation continues to occurs shall constitute a separate offense. (Sec 457-17)

What is the City of Waupun’s ordinance related to grass clippings and other yard waste?

No person shall throw or deposit, or permit to be thrown or deposited, from any vehicle or otherwise, any glass, plastic, refuse, waste, filth, oil, environmental contaminants, leaves, brush, branches, weeds, grass or farm products on the streets, alleys, sidewalks, highways, or public property not owned by that person or on the surface of any body of water within the City. (Ch 8.04(2))

What is the City of Whitewater’s ordinance related to grass clippings and other yard waste?

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 any thing or substance whatever. (Ch 12.08.010(a))

Looking for alternative ways to use your grass clippings to help protect our waterways
Check out Splash’s tips for ways to protect our waterways by reusing your grass clippings!