Farmers Branch leaders are putting the entire city on edge.

A new ordinance requires homeowners to keep their lawns trimmed and edged or face fines.

It has some wondering if the city has strayed into a controversy - again.

Farmer’s Branch says all the yards in the city should look neat, with grass and edges trimmed.

But some homeowners say this is just another example of the city stepping in where it doesn’t belong.

It's more than just curb appeal, says the city of Farmer's Branch. Keeping sidewalks, driveways and curbs clear of overgrown grass and weeds is about safety.

"The residents speak up to the city council, the city council adopts the ordinance, so it's the residents that drive the ordinance," said Jim Olk, a Farmer's Branch building official.

Farmers Branch city council passed an ordinance requiring all homeowners to keep their yards edged and trimmed, or face fines.

Randy Robertson has lived here for 37 years. He thinks the city is going too far.

"I think it looks a lot nicer to keep your yard trimmed, but I don't know if it's right to force people to," he said.

"Even their enforcement of having too many flower pots in your yard, and things like that. Sometimes I think they push it a little too far."

But Ken Litke, shares the city's safety concerns.

"I think it needs to be trimmed because sometimes when you're walking down, you have to step over," he said.

E-mail dmiles@wfaa.com.