Can the Owner of a Dacha Plot Be Fined for… Weeds: What Lawyers Say

Owners and users of land plots are obliged to maintain them in proper condition and to destroy weeds. At the same time, the rules of improvement of a specific community may set requirements for the height of grass and the timing of mowing, according to legalaid.gov.ua. Failure to comply with improvement rules or to take measures to combat weeds can result in a fine. Particular attention should be paid to quarantine plants that harm agriculture and can be dangerous to people and animals. Quarantine weeds include: common ragweed; knotweed rose (creeping knotweed); all kinds of bindweed; black nightshade; Egyptian sorghum (guinea); horse-chestnut needlegrass (short-headed enchanter). For violations of state norms and rules in the field of improvement, the following fines are provided: for citizens — from 340 to 1360 UAH; for officials and citizens — business entities — from 850 to 1700 UAH. The same fines apply for failure to take measures against weeds. Violations during territory inspection may be recorded by authorized officials of local self-government bodies. Depending on the type of violation, a protocol or act may be drawn up by representatives of local councils’ executive committees, public organizations or public volunteer bodies, as well as by the National Police. Paying the fine does not relieve the owner or user from the obligation to bring the land plot to proper condition. If a fine has already been issued but the owner does not agree with it, they can familiarize themselves with the protocol, verify compliance with the procedure for its drawing up, collect evidence, and if there are grounds, challenge the decision in the procedure prescribed by law. To avoid a fine, it is recommended to regularly mow the grass, destroy weeds, especially quarantine plants, and comply with improvement rules approved in the specific community. Earlier, FACTS reported that landowners may keep bees without a special permit, but are obliged to comply with veterinary and sanitary requirements. The Law of Ukraine “On Beekeeping” allows citizens and legal entities to engage in beekeeping without a separate permit. At the same time, an apiary must be registered and also have a veterinary-sanitary passport.