Friday, Oct. 3, 2003 | 9:10 a.m.
One of the more delicate areas of local government is the policing of private property for eyesores and health and safety hazards. In the mid-1990s the city of Las Vegas spent months revising its neighborhood codes and, with the help of a citizens task force, finally got the job done -- but not without considerable controversy. Clark County also tightened its codes in those years. In recent weeks the North Las Vegas City Council has been talking about adding laws to its books in order to give it more control over the appearance of private property. It took a small first step Wednesday by passing a law that cuts the number of yard sales that a homeowner may have from four to two a year.
We support North Las Vegas as it strives to improve neighborhood life. Reducing yard sales, however, seems to us a low priority in comparison with other, more offensive neighborhood activities. Yard-sale limitations are difficult to enforce and, realistically, it doesn't much matter whether a homeowner has two or four in a year's time. We hope the city does not waffle on other issues related to the upkeep of private property. Wednesday, for example, the City Council postponed a proposed ordinance to prohibit the storage of junk cars on private property visible from the front sidewalk. Councilwoman Shari Buck said she worries about "big government telling people what they can do." Many residents, too, make that argument. A North Las Vegas woman told Sun reporter Dan Kulin: "They cannot control your property. It's just not right."
Our view is that local governments do have the right to impose minimum standards on the grounds of private homes, particularly in densely populated cities. Property values can drop significantly if neighbors have slovenly yards. If property values drop, property taxes drop, meaning local governments have a vested interest in maintaining standards. Local governments have an obligation to maintain public health and safety, which can be threatened by the condition of some yards. People also have a right to seek help from local governments if the condition of their neighbors' property is affecting their quality of life. Junk cars are one example of a legitimate nuisance. They belong either out of sight or in a storage unit, not on a lawn or driveway where they look terrible and can present health and safety hazards.
Restrictions on yard sales were a start in the effort to improve North Las Vegas neighborhoods. Now the city needs to get on with the rest of it.
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