West Jordan, UT Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Section 5-3-1A9, amended most recently by Ordinance 21-16 on April 18, 2021, makes 'any injurious or noxious weeds, garbage, refuse, or unsightly or deleterious objects' a nuisance citywide. Subsection A9a supplies two definitions. 'Injurious weeds' are uncultivated plants not used for food, fiber or ornamentation that grow taller than twelve inches (12") above ground, including tumbleweeds. 'Noxious weeds' is defined more broadly: the ordinance states the term 'shall also include those plants listed as noxious weeds by the State Commissioner of Agriculture pursuant to Utah Code Annotated section 4-17-103, together with such plants later added to such list,' incorporating the state's official noxious weed list into City law by reference rather than height.

Subsection A9c singles out tumbleweeds specifically as a fire hazard once they dry out and accumulate against fences, outbuildings, houses and businesses, and places the duty to clear them on the property where they originate before they invade a neighboring lot. Because the definition runs through section 5-3-1B, growing or tolerating a listed noxious weed is a nuisance and a Class B misdemeanor under the general nuisance prohibition, enforceable through the administrative procedures in Title 16 or through criminal prosecution, and any resident can be ordered to abate it under section 5-3-3.