Federal Way, WA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Weed height limit
- 6 in. developed / 12 in. vacant land
- Noxious weeds
- Prohibited outright, no height threshold
- Code adopted
- 2021 International Property Maintenance Code
- Invasive species list source
- King County noxious weed control board
- Nuisance trigger
- 50%+ blackberry/weed coverage = unfit premises
Summary
Federal Way's property maintenance code bans noxious weeds outright and caps other weed growth at six inches on developed property or 12 inches on vacant land under FWRC 13.43.030(20), amending the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code. The city's own zoning definition of "invasive species" points to the King County noxious weed control board's list to identify which plants count.
(20) IPMC 302.4, Weeds, is hereby amended to read as follows: All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of six inches in height on development property or 12 inches in height on vacant land. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants, and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens. ... “Invasive species” include nonnative species of plants or animals that out-compete native species in a specific habitat and that cause or are likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human, animal or plant health. Invasive species include species on the noxious weed list maintained by the King County noxious weed control board.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-1049, passed August 11, 2026).
Full Breakdown
030(20) to set the city's weed standard. Every premises and exterior property must stay free of weeds or plant growth over six inches tall on developed property, or 12 inches on vacant land, and all noxious weeds are prohibited outright, with no height threshold, meaning any presence of a noxious weed is a violation regardless of how tall it has grown. The rule defines weeds broadly as grasses, annual plants and vegetation other than trees or shrubs, and carves out cultivated flowers and gardens so ordinary landscaping is not swept in.
The city's zoning title supplies the working definition of invasive species: nonnative plants or animals that out-compete native species and cause or are likely to cause economic, environmental, human, animal or plant-health harm, expressly including whatever is on the King County noxious weed control board's list. 175(5).
Violations & Fines
A property owner who lets noxious weeds grow, or lets other weeds exceed six inches on developed land or 12 inches on vacant land, is subject to code enforcement under FWRC 13.43.020's IPMC adoption and the city's civil enforcement chapter, FWRC 1.15.040: a notice and order to correct, then an accruing penalty of $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second, $300 for a third, and $500 for further violations of the same kind. A lot more than 50 percent covered in blackberries or noxious weeds can also be declared dangerous or unfit under FWRC 1.15.175.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are noxious weeds illegal to have on your property in Federal Way?
How does Federal Way decide what counts as an invasive species?
Can too many weeds get a Federal Way property declared unfit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Federal Way
Compare Federal Way to another location·View the Washington invasive plant rules overview
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Prohibited Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle prohibited species.