Harrisburg requires owners to maintain grass and weeds on residential lots at or below 10 inches in height under Property Maintenance Code Ch. 5-301. Violations trigger a 7-day Notice to Abate; uncorrected lots are mowed by the city with the cost lien-recorded against the property. Vacant lot owners face the same standard.
The City of Harrisburg enforces vegetation maintenance standards under Chapter 5-301 of the city's Property Maintenance Code, which incorporates the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) with local amendments. Section §5-301.3 requires that grass, weeds, and rank vegetation on residential, commercial, and vacant lots not exceed 10 inches in height. The standard applies to the entire parcel, including front and rear yards, side yards, and the tree-lawn strip between the curb and sidewalk where the owner is responsible for maintenance.
When a property is found out of compliance — typically through complaint, routine inspection, or Allison Hill / Midtown vacant-lot patrols — Codes Administration issues a Notice to Abate giving the owner 7 days to bring the property into compliance. If the owner does not respond, the City contracts a private mowing service to clear the lot and bills the property owner a minimum of $200 for mowing plus a $50 administrative fee. Unpaid charges are recorded as a municipal lien against the parcel under 53 P.S. §7106 and can ultimately force a tax-sale-style collection.
In addition to the height limit, the Pennsylvania Noxious Weed Law (3 P.S. §255.1–255.8) and PA Department of Agriculture noxious weed list apply. Plants such as Japanese knotweed, mile-a-minute, and giant hogweed must be actively controlled. Codes Administration also enforces against accumulated yard waste and brush piles that harbor rodents under §5-303 (Rats and Vermin Harborage).
First offense: Notice to Abate, no fine if corrected within 7 days. Failure to abate triggers city mowing at minimum $200 plus $50 administrative fee, recorded as a municipal lien. Repeat or large-lot violations: summary citation up to $1,000 per occurrence plus court costs. Each week of continued non-compliance is a separate offense.
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See how Harrisburg's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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