Where: New London, CT home to the Kelo v. City of New London of U.S. Supreme Court fame
The ordinance: Section 302.4 of the New London Property Maintenance Code
What garden items are prohibited by Section 302.4?
- “all grasses, annual plants and vegetation,” that are more than 10 inches high.
- except for trees, shrubs, and “cultivated flowers and gardens”
The offending yard: Has a “maintained” and “contained” bamboo garden for more than 30 years, longer than the ordinance has been in existence
The penalty: $13,500 in fees and civil penalties with talk of blight statutes being triggered
Reason | New London, Connecticut, Prosecutes Local Artist for Bamboo It Deems a Blight