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
Beekeeping in Wake County is governed primarily by North Carolina state law, not by Wake County. NCGS Chapter 106, Article 55 (Bees and Honey) is administere...
Wake County, NC
Wake County, NC has no breed-specific dog ban. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, German shepherds, and all other breeds are legal in the unincorpor...
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 §...
See how Wake County's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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