Wake County does NOT impose a county-wide tall-grass ordinance for unincorporated areas. Inside Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest and other municipalities, local minimum-maintenance codes apply — typically requiring grass to be kept below 8-12 inches.
Unincorporated Wake County does not have a numeric height limit on residential grass or weeds. Wake County's land-use rules (UDO) regulate erosion control, junked vehicles, and outdoor storage but not lawn height in residential districts. Each Wake municipality sets its own threshold: Raleigh prohibits growth over 8 inches on residential lots under Code §10-6028; Cary §22-30 sets 12 inches; Apex §11-67 requires removal of noxious weeds. Holly Springs and Garner have similar rules. Unincorporated property owners are subject only to the NC Public Nuisance Statute (NCGS §160D-1129) which counties can adopt — but Wake County has not adopted a residential-grass enforcement program.
In unincorporated Wake: no county-level grass violation. In municipalities: typical first notice 7-10 days to abate, then city cuts the grass and bills the property (Raleigh's lien process averages ~$300-500 per cut plus admin fees).
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Wake County, NC
Wake County Code §92.05(H), (I), and (L) target industrial and commercial noise: construction over 1,000 ft from residences, loading/unloading noise at night...
Wake County, NC
Wake County Code §92.05(B), (C), (F) prohibits vehicle exhaust noise from out-of-repair or modified vehicles, gong/siren on non-emergency vehicles, and any i...
Wake County, NC
Wake County treats cats the same as dogs under Ch. 91 — owners must vaccinate against rabies at 4 months and keep current tag displayed at all times per §91....
Wake County, NC
Wake County does NOT impose a numeric limit on pets in unincorporated areas. Cities vary: Raleigh allows up to 4 dogs/cats over 4 months per dwelling under §...
Wake County, NC
Wake County adopted the NC Fire Prevention Code (NCFC) under Code Ch. 72. Residential propane storage follows NCFC Chapter 61 and NFPA 58 — typical residenti...
Wake County, NC
Wake County Code §130.05 (adopted 11-9-2022, effective 12-9-2022) prohibits firearm discharge within 300 yards of any dwelling, school, church, warehouse, pl...
See how Wake County's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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