Arvada, CO Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Weed height limit
- 12 inches, §18-492 (IPMC §302.4)
- Noxious weeds
- Outright prohibited, includes thistle, knapweed
- Ornamental grass zones
- Only allowed in A-1, R-CE districts
- Enforcement
- Nuisance abatement, Ch. 38 Art. V
- Appeal body
- Board of adjustment, §18-482
Summary
Arvada caps weeds and dead plant growth at 12 inches on every property under Section 18-492, and bans noxious weeds like Canada thistle and leafy spurge outright. Owners, agents, or residents who let weeds grow past that height, or who let noxious weeds spread, are violating the property maintenance code and can be cited.
302.4. Weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or dead plant growth in excess of 12 inches. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. 302.4.1. Unlawful acts. It shall be unlawful for any owner, agent, or resident having charge of a property to permit the growth of weeds or noxious weeds upon any property. 302.4.2. Continued. It shall be unlawful for any owner, agent, or resident having charge of a property to permit the growth of ornamental grasses in any area other than A-1 or R-CE zoning districts. Exception: Ornamental grasses may be cultivated in small plots as part of an overall ornamental landscaping plan in other than A-1 or R-CE zoning districts, but in no case shall they be used as a ground cover over a substantial portion of a property. 302.4.3. Removal. Removal of noxious weeds shall be done in such a manner that will minimize the reproduction of the noxious weeds.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: City Council Policy Manual: Supplement 1 | Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67).
Full Breakdown
C. 4, Weeds, to require that all premises and exterior property be maintained free from weeds or dead plant growth in excess of 12 inches, and to prohibit noxious weeds outright. 2 to let ornamental grasses grow anywhere outside the A-1 or R-CE zoning districts, except in small cultivated plots as part of an overall landscaping plan; ornamental grasses cannot be used as ground cover over a substantial portion of a property. Section 18-484 defines 'weed' as all grasses, annual plants and other vegetation more than 12 inches in height measured from ground level, exempting trees, shrubs, cultivated flower or vegetable gardens, crop or fodder vegetation in A-1 or R-CE districts, and ornamental Gramineae grasses used in a landscaping plan.
3 requires that removal minimize their reproduction. Enforcement runs through the nuisance abatement procedure in Article V of Chapter 38, Environment, with notice and appeal rights under Sections 18-472 and 18-481.
Violations & Fines
Letting weeds or dead plant growth exceed 12 inches, or allowing noxious weeds to spread, is punishable under Section 18-475 by the penalty limits in Section 1-5 of the Arvada City Code, and the violation is separately abatable as a nuisance under Article V of Chapter 38; weeds and noxious weeds citations are exclusively appealable to the board of adjustment under Section 18-482.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass or weeds be in Arvada before it's a violation?
Are ornamental grasses allowed as landscaping in Arvada?
What happens if I don't cut my weeds in Arvada?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arvada
How Arvada compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Arvada to another location·View the Colorado landscaping rules overview
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