Grass Height Limits: Albany vs Colonie
How do grass height limits rules compare between Albany, NY and Colonie, NY?
Albany and Colonie have similar restriction levels.
Albany, NY
Albany County
Albany requires grass, weeds, and rank vegetation on residential property to be cut to no more than 10 inches in height. Vacant lots and yards exceeding the limit trigger written notice from Code Enforcement; uncorrected violations result in the city mowing the property and billing the owner. Tall grass is also a tax-lien-able nuisance under Chapter 313.
View full Albany rules →Colonie, NY
Albany County
Grass and weed height in the Town of Colonie is regulated under the Property Maintenance article of Chapter 62 (Building Construction Administration), Article IV, codified at https://ecode360.com/15257077. The Code defines weeds as any untended or uncultivated grasses, bushes, deleterious or unhealthful vegetation or other growing matter in excess of 10 inches in height, except trees, properly tended ornamental shrubbery, properly tended flowers or vegetables, properly tended pastureland, woodland or land under cultivation. Enforcement is handled by the Town of Colonie Building Department.
View full Colonie rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Albany | Colonie |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Controlling Article | - | Town Code Ch. 62, Art. IV (Property Maintenance) |
| Weed Height Threshold | - | Over 10 inches (untended) |
| Enforcement | - | Colonie Building Department |
| Abatement Window | - | 7 days after notice of violation |
| Cost Recovery | - | Tax lien / special assessment |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Albany FAQ
How tall can my grass be in Albany before I get cited?
10 inches is the maximum under Chapter 313. Code Enforcement gives 10 days' written notice to cut before taking action.
What happens if the city has to mow my lawn?
The contractor charges typically $150–$400 plus an administrative fee, billed to the property owner. Unpaid charges become a tax lien on the property.
Can I keep a pollinator meadow or native garden?
Yes. Intentional naturalistic plantings are not the target of the ordinance. Document your planting plan and ask Code Enforcement to flag the property as a managed landscape so it isn't cited.
Colonie FAQ
How tall can grass legally get in Colonie, NY?
Untended or uncultivated grasses, bushes, or other vegetation may not exceed 10 inches in height under the Town's Property Maintenance article (Chapter 62, Article IV). Properly tended lawns, ornamental shrubbery, flowers, vegetables, pastureland, woodland, and land under cultivation are exempt. Code enforcement is handled by the Building Department.
What happens if I do not mow after a Colonie notice?
The Building Department Manager or designee serves a notice of violation requiring removal within seven days. If the owner does not comply, the Building Department may remedy the violation and bill the owner. Unpaid abatement costs are collectible as a special assessment or tax lien on the parcel under standard municipal-collection authority.
How do I report an overgrown lot in Colonie?
Contact the Town of Colonie Building Department, which enforces the Property Maintenance article. Provide the address and observable conditions (grass over 10 inches, brush accumulations, dead trees). The Department investigates and, on confirmed violation, issues a notice giving the owner seven days to abate before Town-performed cleanup and cost recovery.
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