Barrow County, GA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Max grass/weed height
- 12 inches year-round
- Who is responsible
- Any owner, occupant or person in control
- Exemption
- Agriculturally zoned (AG) property
- First-offense fine
- $500 minimum, $1,000 repeat offense
- Notice period
- 5 days (3 days for repeat violations)
Summary
In unincorporated Barrow County, anyone who owns, occupies or controls real property must keep grass and weeds under 12 inches year-round under Barrow County Code § 78-37(c). The limit covers front, side and rear yards plus growth around buildings, poles, electrical boxes, vehicles and homes, and invasive vines cannot encroach onto roads, signs or structures. Agriculturally zoned land is exempt.
(c)(1)Cutting of grass and weeds. Any corporation, entity, or person owning, claiming, occupying, or having supervision or control of any real property located within Barrow County shall maintain all vegetation, including, but not limited to, the grass, weeds, and other vegetative growth on such property. Maintenance required pursuant to this section shall include the following:a.The height of grass and other vegetation, excluding trees, shrubs, or other similar plant forms, shall not exceed 12 inches at any given time of the year. Grass and other vegetation, whether located on the front, rear or sides of property, should be routinely mowed, trimmed, and cut.b.All grass and other vegetation surrounding buildings, poles, electrical box covers, vehicles, homes, and other similar structures shall be mowed, trimmed, and cut so that the height does not exceed 12 inches at any given time of the year.c.Any invasive vines or shrubs shall be maintained in such a manner so as to prevent encroachment of such vegetation onto roads, signs, or other structures.(2)Exceptions: Any property zoned agriculture shall be exempt from the requirements set forth in subsection (c)(1) above.
Full Breakdown
Section 78-37(c), part of the Debris and Waste Control Environmental Ordinance in chapter 78, article II of the Barrow County Code, makes vegetation maintenance a duty of any corporation, entity, or person owning, claiming, occupying, or having supervision or control of real property in the county, not just the deeded owner. The 12-inch ceiling applies to grass and other vegetation excluding trees, shrubs or similar plant forms, and it is a running requirement: the code says the height shall not exceed 12 inches at any given time of the year, so a lot cannot be mowed once and left.
The same 12-inch cap applies specifically to growth around buildings, utility poles, electrical box covers, parked vehicles, homes and similar structures, and invasive vines or shrubs must be kept from spreading onto roads, signs or other structures. Land zoned agricultural (AG) is carved out of subsection (c)(1) entirely. Because this sits in the debris and waste article rather than the zoning code, it reaches every parcel in unincorporated Barrow County regardless of district, improved or not, except the agricultural exemption. Enforcement runs through section 78-35: code enforcement officers post a notice giving five days to cut the grass (three days for a repeat violation within 24 months), and if the owner does not comply, the county can send a crew to mow and bill the owner for the cost, or issue a citation to Barrow County Magistrate Court.
Violations & Fines
A citation under section 78-37(c) carries the article II penalty schedule in section 78-34: a minimum $500 fine for a first offense and $1,000 for a second or later offense, plus up to 60 days in jail, with each day of overgrown grass counted as a separate offense. A judge can also order restitution and require the violator to clear litter and debris from up to one mile of adjoining public right-of-way or park land.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass or weeds get on my property in unincorporated Barrow County?
Is there an exception for farmland?
What happens if I don't cut my grass after getting a notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Barrow County
How Barrow County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Barrow County to another location·View the Georgia landscaping rules overview
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