Scranton, PA Landscaping Rules: Grass Height Limits (2026)

Scranton operates two parallel high-grass and weed standards. The primary modern standard is at Chapter 360 (Property Maintenance), Article II, of the City Code (https://ecode360.com/11606457), which adopts the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), 2015 Edition, as the Property Maintenance Code of the City of Scranton. Section 302.4 of the adopted IPMC, as amended by Chapter 360 Article II (https://ecode360.com/29522618), requires that all premises and exterior property be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 8 inches. Weeds are defined as all grasses, annual plants, and vegetation - but cultivated flowers, gardens, trees, and shrubs are NOT a violation. All noxious weeds (separately listed under Pennsylvania's Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Act, 3 Pa.C.S. Chapter 12, replacing the older 3 P.S. § 255.1 et seq.) are independently prohibited. The older parallel article is Chapter 434, Article IV (Weeds) (https://ecode360.com/11608837), which targets 'all Canada thistles, ragweed, burdocks, any senecio species and all rank vegetable growth' and provides that any person who fails or refuses to cut and destroy weeds after 10 days' notice is subject to the penalties of Section 1-16 (General Penalty). The Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits (LIP) administers Chapter 360 and serves notices of violation. Lackawanna County does not impose a separate height standard; the City's 8-inch IPMC rule controls.