Teen Must Get $110 Business License to Cut Lawns for $20

Teens in Gardendale are in for a rude awakening this summer when it comes to cutting grass. According to the city's ordinance, you must have a business license.

Teenagers have been threatened by officials and other lawn services to show their city issued license before cutting a person's lawn for extra summer cash.

Cutting grass is often one of the first jobs many have in the summer. But a business license in Gardendale costs $110. And for a job, just for a couple of months, that can be a bit extreme.

"I have never heard of a child cutting grass had to have a business license," said Elton Campbell.

Campbell's granddaughter cuts grass around the neighborhood.

"She charges one lady $20, and another lady $30, and another girl $40 besides what we pay her," said Campbell.

For her, this was the perfect summer gig!

"Just helping out and raising money for admissions and trips," said Alainna Parris.

But now, it's becoming a hassle.

"One of the men that cuts several yards made a remark to one of our neighbors, 'that if he saw her cutting grass again that he was going to call Gardendale because she didn't have a business license," said Campbell.

"He's coming after a kid when a kid is at least trying to do work. There's kids at home on iPads and electronics and not wanting to go outside," said Parris.

Mayor Stan Hogeland said when operating a business for pay within the city limits, you must have a business license. He said sending someone after a child making extra money over the summer, is not a priority. But he is committed to find a way to make this less of an issue for teens.

"I would love to have something on our books that gave a more favorable response to that student out there cutting grass. And see if there's maybe a temporary license during the summer months that targets teenagers," said Mayor Hogeland.

Now, Mayor Hogeland says that it's just unfortunate that issues as small as a teen cutting grass trigger these types of complaints. He said he doesn't want this to discourage kids from trying to earn money.