Grass in Plum Borough can't be higher than 6 inches -- that's the law.

Since May the zoning department has received more than 90 complaints about high grass alone. The department also gets its share of complaints about neighbors who keep junk in their yards.

Every call that comes in to report neglected property goes through the zoning department and every call requires a visit to the property. Many calls take the form of neighborly disputes, which can send zoning employees on wild goose chases.

A property isn't in violation unless the grass or vegetation is taller than 6 inches -- unless the property is actively involved in agriculture and tall vegetation is grown on purpose.

Old, ugly cars are not always junk cars. In Plum, a junk car is one that is more than 15 days past its registration and inspection expiration dates. Garbage, wrecked cars and debris are among the list of items residents can't keep in their yards or on roadways.

If the property is in violation, workers send a certified letter. Owners have seven days from the date they sign for the letter to cut their grass and 10 to 30 days to deal with junk or debris.

If the grass isn't cut, the borough might arrange to clean up the property and will bill the landowner or lien the property.

Most often the property owners take care of the problem right away. In other cases, the borough files a private criminal complaint after the seven-day grace period has ended and District Judge Linda Zucco schedules a hearing.

If the work is finished before the hearing, the borough will withdraw its case.

In all cases, the owner of the property is responsible for its appearance, regardless of any landlord-tenant agreement.

Those with tall grass can be fined up to $500, and those with junk in their yards can be fined up to $1,000. Both cases carry potential imprisonment for up to 30 days.

Every day the property is in violation after an owner gets a notice from the borough constitutes another violation and adds more possible fines and prison time.