Idaho Falls, ID Landscaping Rules: Grass Height Limits (2026)

Idaho Falls regulates overgrown vegetation through its Litter and Weed Control chapter (City Code Title 5, Chapter 8). Section 5-8-2 defines a 'WEED' as a plant that is not a tree or shrub, growing or dead, that is more than ten inches in height, measured from the surface of the area contiguous with the plant, unless otherwise permitted. Section 5-8-11 makes it 'unlawful and a public nuisance for any owner(s) or occupant(s) or for controller(s) of any real property within the City to allow weeds or noxious weeds to grow, exist or accumulate.' The City Weed Control page summarizes this as weeds not exceeding ten inches in height. Importantly, the code carves out 'Permitted Plantings' that are not counted as weeds even above ten inches: ornamental flowers and plants, plants grown for agriculture or food production, and intentional landscape or xeriscape plantings including native or drought-tolerant plants, so long as the height above ten inches 'is not due to neglect.' Enforcement runs through the notice-to-abate process in 5-8-12: the City serves written notice, the owner has ten calendar days to abate, and unabated nuisances can be abated by the City with costs assessed against the property. Questions go to Code Enforcement at 208-612-8555.