ROXBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – A new bill could help vermont communities keep junk out of resident’s front yards.
It would give municipalities the right to regulate so-called ‘nuisance properties’.
When a homeowner refuses to clean up trash, scrap, junk, or abandoned vehicles on their land, the town could fine them and put a lien on the property. That means if the property is sold, the town can use the lien to recover lost debt from previous fines.
Lawmakers say the issue affects many Vermonters and that this should be used as a last resort.
“This bill isn’t aimed at someone who has a porch full of stuff that they don’t have a place to put it. It is really aimed at people who over periods of time. Where the build-up of garbage and junk is so extreme,” said Vt. Rep. Larry Satcowitz.
The law would not apply to the operation of an automobile graveyard or salvage yard.