Auburn, WA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Weed height cap
- 6 inches on premises and exterior property
- Noxious weeds
- Prohibited outright, no height threshold
- Exempt
- Cultivated flowers and gardens
- City abatement
- City/contractor may clear and bill owner
- Enforcing code
- IPMC § 302.4 as amended, ACC 15.20.080
Summary
Auburn's amended International Property Maintenance Code bans noxious weeds outright and caps other weeds or plant growth at six inches under ACC 15.20.080, giving the city authority to enter, clear a property and bill the owner if a violation notice is ignored.
302.4 Weeds. Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of six inches. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens. Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of a notice of violation, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with Section 106.3 and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 7023, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
4 to read: 'Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of six inches. ' The section defines 'weeds' broadly as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation other than trees or shrubs, but carves out cultivated flowers and gardens from the restriction. 3 as prescribed by the code official. 12, and bill the removal cost to the responsible owner or agent. 14 to require tightly fitting insect screens (minimum 16 mesh per inch) with self-closing screen doors on ventilation openings of habitable rooms and food areas between April 1 and October 31. 130.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a notice of violation to cut and destroy noxious weeds or overgrown plant growth exposes an owner to prosecution under IPMC Section 106.3 as amended by ACC 15.20.080, and the city can send its own crew or contractor onto the property to remove the vegetation and charge the cost back to the owner. Appeals go to the hearing examiner within 20 days under ACC 15.07.130.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Auburn ban specific invasive plant species on private property?
What happens if I don't clear noxious weeds after a notice from the city?
Are garden flowers counted as prohibited weeds in Auburn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
Compare Auburn to another location·View the Washington invasive plant rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Prohibited Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle prohibited species.