PUNTA GORDA -- Unmowed vacant lots could prove expensive, very expensive to property owners who ignore Punta Gorda code requirements.

After three strikes, property owners could find themselves facing $250-a-day in fines.

City Building Official Randy Cole said property owners who continue ignore the city codes will be called before the city’s Code Enforcement Board and could face up to $250-a-day fine.

A citywide ordinance requires that all vacant lots be mowed periodically, so that the grass grows no taller than 12 inches. The ordinance also calls for vacant lot owners to clean up litter and other debris, dense growth of trees, vines and other vegetation.

The city first notifies the property owners of neglected lots, asking them to mow and clean up their lots. But they don’t, then the city can go ahead and mow the lots for a cost of $70, which includes the actual cost for the mowing and additional administrative costs. If those fees aren’t paid, the city will lien the property.

If property owners still fail to mow their lots and are cited a second time, Cole said, they will be called to appear Code Enforcement Board where they will be given the option to join the city’s voluntary lot mowing program or make arrangements to ensure the lots are mowed regularly.

“They are given a cease-and-desist order,” Cole said. “That means any subsequent violation will result in a fine of $250 a day.”

Every January, vacant lot owners are asked if they want to join the city’s voluntary lot mowing program. The annual program costs $150 to $175, depending upon the lot size, for 12 cuts -- usually resulting in two mowing a month in the summer rainy season and no mowing during the dry winter months.

Cole estimated 74 percent of the owners of the 2,586 vacant lots in the city participate in the program.

Those who want to sign up for the program now could pay as little as a $60 to have their lots mowed for the rest of the year. For more information, call the city’s Billings and Collections office at 941-639-2528.

Rather than levying stiff fines for continued violations, Cole said his hope is that more vacant lot owners will take advantage of the city’s lot mowing program.

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