Landscaping Rules in Dakota County, MN (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Dakota County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Weed Ordinances
Dakota County sets no countywide grass-height limit; cities set their own (commonly 8 inches) under Minn. Stat. Ch. 462. For designated noxious weeds, the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law (Minn. Stat. 18.78) requires all landowners to control them as ordered by the local weed inspector.
Grass and Weed Height Limits Are Set by Your City
Some RestrictionsMinn. Stat. 18.78, subd. 1
A person owning land, a person occupying land, or a person responsible for the maintenance of public land must control or eradicate all noxious weeds on the land at a time and in a manner ordered by an inspector or county-designated employee.
Water Restrictions
Dakota County does not set watering restrictions. Your city or water utility does, typically odd/even address-day sprinkling and no midday watering during summer. The county promotes voluntary conservation.
Lawn Watering Restrictions in Dakota County, MN
Some RestrictionsInver Grove Heights lawn watering schedule
Properties with addresses ending in an even number should limit watering of lawns to even-numbered calendar days, and addresses ending in an odd number should limit watering lawns to odd-numbered calendar days.
Native Plants
Minnesota law requires every city to allow managed natural landscapes of native or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs, even over eight inches tall. Dakota County encourages native and pollinator plantings.
Native Plant Landscaping in Dakota County, MN
Some RestrictionsMinn. Stat. 412.925
A statutory city or home rule charter city shall allow an owner, authorized agent, or authorized occupant of any privately owned lands or premises to install and maintain a managed natural landscape.
Composting
State law bans putting yard waste in the trash, at disposal facilities, or in resource recovery facilities anywhere in the Twin Cities metro, including unincorporated Dakota County, since January 1, 1990. Since 2010, any yard waste bagged for a transfer station or compost site must go in a certified compostable bag meeting ASTM D6400, not ordinary plastic.
Yard Waste and Compostable Bag Rules in Dakota County
Some RestrictionsMinn. Stat. § 115A.931(a), (c)
(a) Except as authorized by the agency, in the metropolitan area after January 1, 1990, and outside the metropolitan area after January 1, 1992, a person may not place yard waste: (1) in mixed municipal solid waste; (2) in a disposal facility; or (3) in a resource recovery facility except for the purposes of reuse, composting, or cocomposting. ... (c) On or after January 1, 2010, a person may n...
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