Panevėžys imposes fines for unkempt plots and higher land tax

Panevėžys municipality is cracking down on unkempt private plots, with fines and increased land taxes for owners who fail to maintain their properties, LRT reports.

Municipal inspectors are conducting checks, measuring grass height with rulers. If vegetation exceeds the permitted 25 cm—required from May 1 to September 30—owners first receive a warning. Repeat offenses can lead to fines ranging from 20 to 40 euros, escalating to 600 euros for persistent violations.

The most severe penalty includes listing the plot as abandoned and a 4% increase in land tax, which can amount to thousands of euros, according to Tadas Martinaitis, head of the Public Order Department.

Residents have complained about neglected plots, with grass reaching up to a meter in height near homes and schools. Some, like local Liudas, say they have reported overgrown areas to the municipality with no action taken.

However, locals also criticize the municipality for not maintaining its own spaces, such as Skaistakalnio Park, where grass is left uncut. Authorities respond that some areas are intentionally left unmowed to preserve natural meadows and wildlife.