Neighbors rate a law suite?

What constitutes the level of yard neglect that sends a neighbor into court? Weeds? Uncut grass? Dying shrubs? I'd like to know because I have all of those conditions in my yard and I can't risk a court case. The grasses are dead because I killed them to prevent their taking up the water needed for my glorious shade trees. There is always evidence that something is being done in some corner because of the location of the wheelbarrow or rake or shovel.
Is neglect measured by lack of action? I heard of a case where a neglected yard resulted in a law suite. All spring the owner worked in the yard, moving rocks, mowing or weeding. With little fanfare the level of action in the yard became less and finally fell to zero. If nearby neighbors paid any attention at all to the previous action of the owner and ensuing neglect I wonder why they didn't go to the owner to find out what was going on?
The owner had fallen ill. Before or maybe because of the law suite, the owner died. Is this what our new age family values come to? Problems are obvious but instead of looking for a human resolution people stand back in judgement and make demands readily encouraged by law. I hesitate to come up with the old cliche "When I was a kid..." but think about it. In any neighborhood if people were in trouble others pitched in to help - not add to an already impossible problem. Well they did in my home town.
Maybe I shouldn't rely on those old values any more. I will stand firmly with my shovel and rake in hand and hope to fend off disgruntled neighbors or any onlookers who judge the neglect (or not) of my back yard. It is my personal health club.
Naomi Sherer