Is it Legal to Take Care of Your Neighbors Yard in Michigan?

I always thought that if you do something nice for someone, you'd get a little bit of good karma and you'd make them happy. But, as the phrase goes- "No good deeds go unpunished",  meaning just because you're well-intended, doesn't mean people will be excited about what you've accomplished.

And recently on the Greater Grand Rapids Scanner group on facebook, a call was posted from Holland where one person called the police on their neighbor for... *checks notes* watering their yard?

It seems pretty weird to be mad about someone taking care of your yard. After all, it's their water bill, not yours. But, I recently had a neighbor get really mad at my landlord when they removed a dead tree from our side yard and replaced it with nice mulch and baby bushes, so I get it. While it was our yard, she was willing to go to war over the tree being removed, even though it was an unsightly hazard.

This made me wonder- is it against the law to take care of your neighbor's yard in Michigan?

It turns out- yes, your good deed can be punished. Even if your intentions are good, going into your neighbor's property for any reason, if you are uninvited, it is considered trespassing. So, while it's unlikely that you'll be charged and sent to jail for doing this, you could still catch heat from law enforcement. It's recommended that you ask if they need help before you take it upon yourself to do so, and maybe you'll get a better outcome.

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So, instead of trying to do a good deed, you can report tall grass and poorly maintained property to your city, and they will issue a citation and motion to fix the problem. For example, in Grand Rapids, you can file a report with the city online, and they will either fine them or charge them to fix the problem. While, this feels petty- tall, unmaintained yards can be problematic and full of pests like snakes, that could wander onto your property.

So, just remind yourself the next time you have that little inkling to mow or water your neighbor's yard- don't do it. At least, not before you ask permission.