Nevada City Declares Itself a ‘Gnome Sanctuary City’ Following Surge in Lawn Ornaments

Nevada City, CA—In a move that has left both residents and local officials scratching their heads (and trimming their hedges), the small town of Nevada City has officially declared itself a “Gnome Sanctuary City” after an unprecedented surge in the number of lawn gnomes mysteriously appearing across the community.

The new ordinance, passed unanimously by the city council during an emergency meeting held on Tuesday, mandates that all residents must provide food, shelter, and a welcoming environment for any gnome residing on their property. Failure to comply could result in fines, community service, or, in extreme cases, the dreaded “Gnome Relocation Program.”

The Surge of Gnomes

The decision comes in the wake of what has been described as a “gnome explosion,” with the town seeing a 300% increase in the appearance of these whimsical ceramic figures over the past month alone. What began as a few scattered lawn decorations has now grown into a full-blown population boom, with gnomes popping up in gardens, on porches, and even inside a few homes.

“It started with just one or two gnomes here and there, but now they’re everywhere,” said resident Margaret Greenfield, who recently found a trio of gnomes setting up camp in her backyard. “At first, it was kind of cute. But then they kept multiplying. Now, I can’t mow my lawn without accidentally disturbing some sort of gnome picnic.”

City Council’s Response

Faced with this peculiar predicament, the Nevada City Council quickly addressed the situation. Citing the town’s long-standing tradition of embracing quirky and alternative lifestyles, Mayor Greg Parsons declared that the gnomes had “every right to live among us” and that the town would “do everything in its power to ensure their well-being.”

“We’ve always been a community that values inclusivity and diversity,” Mayor Parsons said during the press conference announcing the new ordinance. “These gnomes—though small and silent—are now part of our town’s fabric. They bring a certain charm and magic that we feel is worth protecting.”

To support the new ordinance, the city will be providing residents with “Gnome Welcome Kits,” which include a small gnome-sized shelter, a bag of organic gnome food (locally sourced, of course), and a guide to “Understanding Your New Gnome Neighbors,” which outlines best practices for integrating gnomes into everyday life.

Residents’ Reactions

The response from residents has been mixed. While some have embraced the new ordinance with open arms (and open gardens), others are less enthusiastic about the sudden responsibility of caring for a growing population of gnome refugees.

“I didn’t ask for this,” complained Harold Jenkins, who recently discovered a gnome village forming under his prized rose bushes. “I’m barely keeping up with the yard work as it is. Now I’m supposed to feed and house a bunch of ceramic squatters? This is ridiculous!”

Still, others see the gnome sanctuary status as a unique opportunity to put Nevada City on the map.

“We could become the gnome capital of the world!” enthused local business owner Sarah Mills, who has already started selling gnome-themed merchandise at her downtown shop. “People love these little guys. This could be a real tourist attraction if we play our cards right.”

The Great Gnome Debate

Despite the initial excitement, not everyone is convinced that Nevada City’s new status as a Gnome Sanctuary City is a good idea. Critics argue that the ordinance is unenforceable and could lead to an overpopulation problem. They point to the rapid increase in gnome numbers as evidence that the town may soon be overrun if steps aren’t taken to control the population.

“What’s next? Gnome rent control? Gnome schools?” asked council member Linda Thompson, who abstained from voting on the ordinance. “We need to think about the long-term implications here. Sure, it’s cute now, but what happens when the gnomes start taking over entire neighborhoods?”

Others have raised concerns about the origins of the gnomes. Some conspiracy-minded residents believe the sudden influx of lawn ornaments is part of a secret government experiment or, perhaps, the work of an underground gnome smuggling ring. However, no evidence has been provided to support these claims.

Looking to the Future

For now, the gnomes remain a fixture of Nevada City life, and the town’s residents are adjusting to their new roles as gnome caretakers. Whether this experiment in urban gnome integration will succeed or lead to further chaos remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Nevada City has once again proven that it’s not afraid to embrace the weird and wonderful, even if it comes in the form of hundreds of tiny, bearded figurines.