Lakeville, MN Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)

Lakeville does not have a wildfire defensible-space or brush-clearance ordinance of the kind found in fire-prone western states, because it is a fully developed suburban city in Dakota County rather than a wildland-urban interface community. Vegetation management is instead handled through nuisance and weed-control rules. Under City Code 4-1-3, weeds or grass in excess of 8 inches in height on any lot less than one acre that has a building on it (or an empty lot abutting a built lot) are declared a public nuisance and prohibited. Undeveloped lots, outlots, parcels over one acre, stormwater basins, wetlands, drainageways, city parks and natural areas, and public rights-of-way are exempt. If an owner does not comply within 7 days of written notice, the city may cut the vegetation and assess the cost against the property. Separately, all persons in Dakota County must control or eradicate noxious weeds on land they occupy under the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law. If a property owner wants to clear brush by burning rather than hauling it, that is open burning and requires a DNR open-burning permit through the Lakeville Fire Department; only vegetative material may be burned.