Additional Roadside Mowing Cycle Sought By Fairfax Supervisor

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — As the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has expressed concerns about the frequency of roadside lawn mowing, a board matter presented Tuesday seeks funding for another mowing cycle.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is in charge of maintaining public interstates, primary roads and secondary roads in Fairfax County and typically mows roadside grass three times per year. However, county officials believe this is not enough to address the length of the grass.

The board matter presented by Chairman Jeffrey McKay calls for $250,000 from the county's fiscal year 2021 Carryover Review to fund a fourth mowing cycle in fiscal year 2022. The board matter also asks for annual funding of $250,000 to contract a fourth mowing cycle each year from VDOT.

While the Fairfax County Code of Ordinance requires residential and commercial lawn areas to not exceed 12 inches, roadside vegetation may exceed this due to the frequency of mowing.

"Appropriate vegetation maintenance is required to ensure all related safety requirements are met, including, but not limited to, clear zone and sight distance requirements," the board matter states. "In addition to the safety risks associated with not maintaining vegetation, the current mowing policy impedes the County’s economic development effort that benefits the County and the Commonwealth."

The $250,000 cost is an estimate provided by VDOT to fund a fourth mowing cycle each year.