Greeley, CO Invasive Plant Rules: Front Yard Gardens (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 12-606
- Garden plants
- excluded from "weed" definition
- Personal-consumption variance
- available for plants over 12 inches
- Noxious weeds
- never eligible for a variance
- Variance review
- by commission within 30 days
Summary
Greeley's weed ordinance excludes cultivated agricultural, herbal, ornamental and xeriscape vegetation from the legal definition of a "weed," and lets landowners seek a formal variance for personal-consumption garden plants, though noxious, invasive species are never eligible for any variance.
Weed means a troublesome or injurious plant. The term "weed" does not include vegetation commonly recognized, cultivated and maintained as ornamental, herbal, agricultural or xeriscape. ...Weed variances may be granted under the following circumstances or conditions:...(3)Plants grown for the purpose of personal consumption.(4)A variance shall not be available with regard to noxious weeds.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 12-606 defines "weed" to exclude vegetation "commonly recognized, cultivated and maintained as ornamental, herbal, agricultural or xeriscape," so a typical front-yard vegetable, herb or flower garden isn't a code violation by definition. Separately, § 12-606(e)(3) lets a landowner request a formal weed variance for "plants grown for the purpose of personal consumption" that might otherwise exceed the 12-inch height limit applied to developed lots. The air quality and natural resources commission reviews variance requests within 30 days. Section 12-606(e)(4) bars any variance for weeds designated noxious under the city's noxious weed management plan, no matter the grower's purpose.
Violations & Fines
Cultivating a city- or state-designated noxious/invasive weed, even for personal use, draws a notice of violation, mandatory removal, a $50.00 fee plus 20 percent, and Chapter 10, Title 1 penalties if uncorrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a vegetable or herb garden in my Greeley front yard?
What if my garden plant is on the noxious weed list?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greeley
Compare Greeley to another location·View the Colorado invasive plant rules overview
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