No Mow May

During the month of May, the City of Green Bay will relax the enforcement of long-grass rules, allowing Green Bay residents to delay or reduce lawn cutting as a way to promote pollinator-friendly habitat early in the growing season. Participation is voluntary; however if you choose to participate, ANNUAL ONLINE REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY AND POSTING A CITY-ISSUED YARD SIGN IS REQUIRED.

How to Participate in No Mow May:

City of Green Bay residents needed to register online before May 7, 2023. Registration is now closed.
Reuse your City-issued yard sign from last year, or pick up a yard sign at one of the following locations:
- Green Bay City Hall, 100 N. Jefferson Street, 3rd Floor, Room 300
- Public Works West Side Garage, 519 S. Oneida Street
- Public Works East Side Garage, 1820 Mills Street
Display the City-issued* yard sign in your front yard for the month of May.
Keep the sign to use again for next year!

*Displaying a City-issued yard sign is required and signifies participation in the month-long program. Please allow at least 1 business day from the date of registration before picking up a City-issued yard sign.

Conclusion of No Mow May

Grass may be quite long at the conclusion of NO MOW MAY. Keep these tips in mind for encouraging pollinators and maintaining a healthy lawn throughout the growing season:

Do not use pesticides on lawns when encouraging pollinators.
Adjust the mower to the highest setting and make the first pass to reduce the grass height. After you’ve reduced the grass to a more manageable height during the first pass, change the mower setting by lowering the height of the blade before making a second pass.
Do not cut more than one-third of the grass blades at a time in a single mowing. For example, if your lawn is six inches tall, do not remove more than two inches of length off the leaf blades. This helps prevent root stress and promotes turf vigor.
Rake out and/or remove grass clipping clumps that may result from mowing to promote lawn health.
Reuse your sign! Consider saving your yard sign for No Mow May next year or for different future use. You could attach a new message to them, use in school projects or use it to promote a special event. At the very least, save the wire stands to use for the next time you need to post signs or donate them to an organization that will use them.

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below or contact the Public Works Department if you have questions at (920) 448-3535 or email DPW.

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Local Municipalities Participating

FAQs

What if I'm not a City of Green Bay resident and want to participate?

If you live in Allouez, Bellevue, New Franken, Ledgeview, Oneida, Pulaski, Suamico, or another local village, township, or municipality, contact your local government to find out if they will be participating in No Mow May and where you can register.

City of De Pere residents may participate by registering online at: https://deperewi.gov/nomowmay

Is participating in NO MOW MAY mandatory if I live in the City of Green Bay?

No. It is a voluntary program during the month of May.

Where do I register for NO MOW MAY?

How does NO MOW MAY help pollinators?

Mowing your lawn less creates habitat and can increase the abundance and diversity of wildlife including bees and other pollinators. The goal is to allow grass to grow unmown for the month of May, creating habitat for early season pollinators. This is particularly important in urban areas where floral resources are often limited (beecityusa.org).

Will the City deliver a yard sign to my residence?

No. Residents must obtain a yard sign at City Hall, East Side Municipal Garage, or West Side Municipal Garage. Please bring proof of residency to show that you reside in the City of Green Bay.

Am I required to mow the grass in the City-owned terrace (the area between the sidewalk and the curb)?

If a property is registered for No Mow May, any grass that is maintained by the property owner/ tenant, including the terrace area, does not have to be mowed during the month of May.

What can I do with my grass clippings at the conclusion of NO MOW MAY?

City of Green Bay residents may take grass clippings to the DPW operated yard waste centers.
- West Side Yard Waste Site, 1470 Hurlbut Street
- East Side Yard Waste Site, 2530 East Shore Drive
Grass clippings can be composted with other yard waste if you maintain a home compost pile or compost bin.
Grass clippings can be used as a mulch layer in gardens and flower beds.

At the end of NO MOW MAY, how long do I have to cut my lawn before enforcement of municipal code 24-84, Noxious Weeds and Maintenance of Vegetation ordinance goes into effect?

Resume regular mowing of your lawn June 1. You can view Municipal Code 24-84, Noxious Weeds and Maintenance of Vegetation ordinance online.

What may happen if I let my grass grow during May, but my property is not registered for NO MOW MAY?

Property owners are subject to enforcement of municipal code 24-84, Noxious Weeds and Maintenance of Vegetation ordinance. This ordinance applies to excessive growth of vegetation and weeds in yards. Failure by any property owner to keep grass and weed growth below eight (8) inches will result in DPW completing the work and invoicing the property owner for services rendered.

What if I’ve registered my property for NO MOW MAY, but I’m not displaying the City-issued yard sign?

Displaying the City-issued yard sign signifies your participation. Failure to display the yard sign could result in enforcement of municipal code 24-84, Noxious Weeds and Maintenance of Vegetation ordinance.

How do I register my vacant parcel for No Mow May?

Street addresses* for vacant parcels can be looked up using the Brown County “Brown Dog” mapping software.
Complete all fields of the No Mow May online registration form. The mailing address and phone number of the property owner are required.

*If you are unable to identify the numeric street address of the vacant parcel, come to City Hall, 3rd Floor to register the parcel in-person.