Ames, IA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Chapter 30, Public Nuisances, applies to every property in Ames, not only rental housing, and Sec. 30.4 defines turf grasses as narrow-leaved species that form a uniform, long-lived ground cover tolerant of mowing to two inches or below. Sec. 30.5(11) sets the operative limit: turf grasses may not exceed 12 inches in height, and once they do, the condition is a declared nuisance under the chapter regardless of whether the lot is a rental, an owner-occupied home, or a vacant parcel. The owner, agent, lessee, or occupant in charge of the property is responsible for cutting the grass back under Sec.

30.6, and abatement can include mowing performed by the City if the responsible party fails to act after written notice under Sec. 30.7. The City may also pursue emergency abatement without prior notice when overgrown vegetation is judged an imminent danger, billing the property owner the cost of that emergency mowing within 14 days, collected the same way as property taxes under Iowa Code Section 364.12(3)(h). A person cited for a violation of the chapter, including exceeding the 12-inch turf limit, can request a hearing before the Public Nuisance Appeals Board within the time stated in the abatement notice; failing to request that hearing in time means the nuisance finding stands and must be corrected as ordered.