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Anoka County, MN Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

State law
Minn. Stat. §18.78
Duty
Owner must control noxious weeds
Enforcer
County-appointed weed inspector
Blaine nuisance weeds
Over 8 inches or seeding
Unpaid cost
Assessed to taxes

Summary

Minnesota law requires every landowner to control noxious weeds. Anoka County appoints a weed inspector; cities also enforce grass and weed height. In Blaine, weeds over eight inches are a public nuisance.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Anoka County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A person owning land, a person occupying land, or a person responsible for the maintenance of public land must manage all noxious weeds, according to the noxious weed categories under section 18.771, on the land at a time and in a manner ordered by an inspector or county-designated employee.

Full Breakdown

Statewide, Minn. Stat. §18.78 requires a person owning, occupying, or maintaining land to control all noxious weeds as ordered by an inspector or county-designated employee. Anoka County oversees noxious-weed enforcement through appointed inspectors under this chapter. Prohibited and controlled noxious weeds (such as common tansy, leafy spurge, wild parsnip, and Canada thistle) must be eradicated or contained. On top of the state list, cities set general weed and grass-height nuisance rules. Blaine declares weeds and grasses over eight inches, or gone to seed, a public nuisance. If you get a control order, act by the deadline or the county/city may treat the property and bill you.

Violations & Fines

Ignoring a noxious-weed control order lets the inspector or county have the weeds destroyed and charge the cost to the owner; unpaid costs can be assessed to property taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who enforces noxious weeds in Anoka County?
A county-appointed weed inspector (and municipal inspectors) under Minn. Stat. §18.78. They can order control and, if ignored, have the weeds destroyed at the owner's expense.
What counts as a noxious weed in Minnesota?
Species on the state prohibited/controlled list, such as Canada thistle, leafy spurge, wild parsnip, and common tansy, categorized under Minn. Stat. §18.771.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Anoka County

All Anoka County rules

How Anoka County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Anoka County to another location·View the Minnesota landscaping rules overview

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