Auburn, AL Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Auburn's property-maintenance rules, administered by Inspection Services, require that "premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 12 inches." The City defines weeds as "all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs," expressly excluding cultivated flowers and gardens, and states that "noxious weeds shall be prohibited." The City attributes these standards to Auburn City Code Chapter 5 and Chapter 15, Section 15-173. Enforcement is complaint-driven: a code officer inspects, issues a notice to the owner, and if the owner does not correct the overgrowth, the City may abate it (cut the vegetation) and assess the cost against the property. The state statutory framework is Alabama Code Title 11, Chapter 67 (Abatement of Weeds). Section 11-67-60 lets any municipality declare overgrown grass or weeds a public nuisance where they breed vermin, create a fire hazard, bear wingy or downy seeds, hide debris, are unsightly, or where growth other than ornamental plant growth exceeds 12 inches in height, and then abate it through the statutory process. Cultivated gardens and ornamental plantings are not treated as prohibited weeds. Verify current section numbers and procedures with Inspection Services, since chapter numbering can change as the code is amended.