Growing weeds in your El Paso yard? Here’s how long you have to clean up before getting into trouble

EL PASO, Texas -- Recent monsoon rains have turned our normally brown landscape into a flourishing, lush environment. While many of us are enjoying the new look, rapidly growing weeds are sprouting every which way.

Everyone knows its best to cut back on the weeds once they start to grow, but right now it's hard to tell if anything isn't a weed with how fast and widespread they've been growing.

Danny Soto, a field operations supervisor of El Paso police code enforcement, deals with the notices that property owners receive if their weeds are too tall.

"If the weeds are taller than 12 inches, that's when it becomes a violation," he said. Many of the weeds across our area are 3 to 5 feet tall.

Property owners will get a notice that says they have 7 days to fix the weed issue. If they fail to fix it at that time, then they'll get another notice. If, after the second time of being notified, and nothing has been done about the weeds, then the case will be sent to the city to be cleaned up by their people.

At that point the homeowner will be charged with the expenses incurred by the city. If someone fails to pay those, then they are looking at having to pay interest on the charges they have accrued.

For those who are elderly, the city will give you an extension on the deadline by which you have to get your weeds cut. You'll just have to give them notice that you will need that extra time. You can dial 311 to let them know.