Unkempt lawns, overgrown ditches and blocked sidewalks may soon become less common sights in Richmond, thanks to a newly strengthened nuisance ordinance aimed at giving the city sharper tools to protect safety and preserve the appearance of its neighborhoods. City officials unanimously approved the revised ordinance, responding to long-standing concerns from residents and staff about vague language and inconsistent enforcement. The updated law expands definitions for nuisance violations, clarifies responsibilities for property owners and codifies enforcement procedures for violations that pose risks to pedestrians, visibility and public health. City Administrator Tonya Willim noted the ordinance wasn’t about increasing penalties but about making sure everyone understands what is expected. “Defining definitions – such as blowing grass into the street, failing to maintain sidewalks and ditches, or allowing overgrown vegetation obstructing line of sight – in the ordinance removes…