City of Racine
It’s Time to Apply for No Mow May!
Racine Residents Encouraged to Support Pollinators Through No Mow May Program
The City of Racine invites residents to participate in No Mow May, an environmental initiative that supports local pollinators by allowing grass and flowering weeds to grow freely throughout the month of May.
The program gives registered property owners a temporary exemption from the City’s noxious weed height restriction under Sec. 42-63 of the municipal code, provided they follow the ordinance’s requirements.
How to Participate:
- Register in Advance: Homeowners must register prior to April 30 to qualify for the exemption in May. There is no cost to participate, but you must register to receive a sign. Signs are available for pickup at City Hall’s Customer Service Department (730 Washington Ave).
- Display the Sign: Upon registration, participants will receive an official No Mow May yard sign, which must be prominently displayed on the property from May 1 through May 31. This sign indicates lawful participation and prevents citations for overgrown grass.
- Limited Term: The exemption is valid only for the specific May they are issued and are non-transferable to other properties or owners. Signs may be retained for use next year, but re-registration in 2027 is required.
Participants must resume regular mowing practices by June 1, when enforcement of the City’s standard weed and grass height ordinances resumes.
By pausing mowing for a single month, residents can help boost early-season food sources for bees and other pollinators that are critical to local ecosystems and agriculture. Native bees rely on spring-blooming plants—often found in otherwise “untidy” lawns—for survival as they emerge from winter dormancy.
This program is a legal and proactive way to support biodiversity and sustainability—one yard at a time.
Download your application here. Copies will also be available at City Hall.
