New legislation would have Nashville homeowners clean algae off their homes or face a fine

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — One Metro council member is on a mission to clean up Music City—quite literally. Councilmember Joy Styles (District 32) wants homeowners to clean the green algae off their homes or face a fine, and the rule could become official this summer.

“When codes goes out, they can write up an infraction for high grass, but they can’t do it for algae,” said Styles.

But Styles wants to change that. Her new legislation would make homeowners clean or powerwash the algae off their homes or face a fine.

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“This is just an opportunity for us to keep our neighborhoods more beautiful. And a lot of people have pride in the neighborhoods where they live and this just gives us another layer of accountability to make sure that’s happening,” said Styles.

Styles said the enforcement would be similar to grass that’s too high, or a fence that’s broken.

First, the homeowner would receive a letter from Metro Codes to clean off the algae. Then, the clock would start with 10 days to fix it. If the home is not clean after 10 days, Metro would slap the homeowner with a $50 fine, and potentially a court date if the algae is never scrubbed away.

“Hey, maybe you have a neighbor who has a pressure washer. This is an opportunity to get to know your neighbor. And maybe your neighbor can help you pressure wash it. And then the neighborhood looks better, people have a sense of pride, right, about where they live. And that’s really critical,” said Styles.

Metro Councilmember David Benton (District 28) supports the idea, releasing the following statement to News 2: “I support it. This is about Property Standards that protect the homeowners’ investment and our neighbors’ property values. I have recently seen in my own district, weeds growing in gutters that looked like a flower planter around the rooftop blocking the gutters leading to rotting woodwork.  As far as the algae goes, codes always gives a warning and opportunity to abate the problem before issuing a fine. Part of responsible home ownership is upkeep especially when it drags other neighbors’ property values down. Big box stores sell a solution that can be sprayed on and sprayed off with minimal effort, so the cure is low cost, effective, and easy to apply.”

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If it passes, HOAs would be able to use the code as well to crack down on algae.

The second reading takes place on Tuesday at Metro Council.

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