Can relate. We called the code enforcement on the crappy renters next door about the trash on the side of their house and at another place I planted oleanders where the neighbors used to cut through my lawn to their driveway. I also had a cat problem at the other place so I caught them and drove them about 7 miles away and dropped them off in the woods. I did get one of the wild kittens to calm down and gave it to my wife's brother who still has it. Cameras have helped too since a lot of the stuff the neighbors were doing was too petty to waste the time of the police. Problems solved for me. As far as other peoples un-kept lawns, it bothers me but it shows me that they have no pride in what they have and makes me work that much harder to make mine look the best to make them look even worse.

I say call the ordinance officer and put a huge log to block his path, then you'll feel a huge weight lifted of your shoulders from one less thing to worry about. After all what can they say about, it is all legal.