Lakeville, MN Landscaping Rules: Grass Height Limits (2026)

Lakeville's grass and weed length standard is set in City Code Title 4 (Health and Sanitation), Section 4-1-3. The City summarizes the rule as: weeds or grass that exceed 8 inches in length are considered a public nuisance on occupied lots and parcels less than one acre, as well as on vacant lots that abut a lot containing a building. After providing the owner or occupant 7 days' advance written notice of noncompliance, the City may cut, or hire a contractor to cut, the grass and weeds and assess the cost against the property in accordance with state statutes. Lakeville does provide an exception: an owner or occupant in a residential district who wants a natural-landscaping approach may apply for a natural landscaping permit, reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator, under which native grasses and forbs may exceed 8 inches. This aligns with Minnesota's managed natural landscape protections under Minn. Stat. 412.925, which requires cities to allow intentional, maintained plantings of native or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, and forbs even where they exceed 8 inches.