Is It Against The Law To Mow Your Lawn Early In the Morning?

Currently, people’s work schedules continue to vary: Shifts, nights, remote, flexible schedules, and the four-day workweek are making jobs available and equitable for the masses. However, atypical schedules can produce atypical problems. For example, the only time you may have for those routine yet necessary chores — like mowing the lawn — might be when the masses are sleeping.

So, is it against the law to mow your lawn early in the morning? Generally, the answer is no. However, some states have county and local ordinances — especially in residential areas — that prohibit homeowners and landowners from doing so. In 1972, the EPA established the Noise Control Act to protect citizens’ health and welfare. In the Act, the responsibility of enforcing noise control rests primarily with state and local governments.

The laws focus on decibels, and (most all) mowers land far above the legal limit. In most residential locations, mowing the lawn before 7 a.m. is prohibited, and many prohibit mowing before 8 a.m. On weekends and public holidays, however, that prohibitive time extends to 9 a.m. Depending on local statutes, if you mow before the designated time, you could be facing relatively small to severe fines.

The Best Time of Day for Mowing Lawns

Most experienced lawn experts strongly advise against mowing before 8 a.m. Because dew still exists, the wetness of the grass makes it harder to mow, and harder on your mower, thus making the grass more susceptible to fungi. Midday is also not optimal due to the stress that heat places on the grass.

Professionals agree that the optimum time for mowing is midmorning, from about 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. At this point, moisture has evaporated, and the day is still far from reaching its peak heat. The second-best choice is late afternoon when temperatures are cooling off and precipitation has yet to permeate the lawn.

What if Early Morning is the Only Time You Have?

First, seek out your neighbor/neighbors to have an honest conversation. Explain your predicament, and you will likely be able to find a mutually beneficial solution. Maybe your neighbors are willing to deal with the early-morning noise only once every two weeks. If not, be accommodating. Offer something you could do for them, or simply give them a gift card you know they will enjoy.

If you can’t reach some sort of agreement, you may have to acquiesce. Many teenagers are willing to cut lawns for a low cost. Realize that you chose to live in a neighborhood, and you must adhere to the official and non-official rules of neighborhood life.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Ultraskrip/Shutterstock.com