Albany, OR Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Albany Municipal Code § 8.01.025, Noxious vegetation, weeds, and tall grass, declares weeds, tall grass, or other noxious vegetation a public nuisance under three separate conditions in the City of Albany, Linn County, Oregon. The first is when the fire chief or their designee determines excess vegetation is a fire hazard. The second is when vegetation creates a public safety concern, such as blocking the view of oncoming traffic, blocking the public right-of-way, or blocking vision clearance areas around intersections and driveways. The third is a plain numeric limit: when grass is in excess of 10 inches.

Exceptions to the grass-height test can be granted for parcels of land used for agricultural purposes. The section then makes it unlawful for the owner or any person in possession or control of any lot or premises within the city to maintain a lot or premises determined to be a fire hazard or safety hazard as defined in the section. The duty falls on whoever holds possession or control, not only the deed holder. Under § 8.01.005, a person in charge of property means an owner, agent, contract purchaser, lessee, occupant, or other person having possession or control of real property.

Where no imminent danger exists, § 8.37.030 requires notice posted on the premises and hand delivered or sent by first class mail to the owner and to any person in charge or occupant. The notice states the condition, a deadline, and that the City can abate at a fee covering the direct cost of removal plus 30 percent for administrative overhead. The owner has 10 days to abate or to appeal in writing to the city manager or their designee, and the appeal is referred to the municipal court for a hearing. Section 8.01.060 confirms the City can abate in addition to the penalties in § 1.04.010. The older weed chapter provisions in § 7.84.120 and § 7.84.130 were repealed by Ord. 5991, so § 8.01.025 is the operative rule.