Burlington, NC Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 12 inches uncontrolled weed/vegetation growth
- Applies to
- occupied or vacant lots alike
- Cure period
- 10 days from mailed and posted notice
- First penalty
- $100 civil fine
- Repeat penalty
- $250 second, $500 third+ in 12 months
- City abatement
- cost becomes a lien, billed with taxes
Summary
In the City of Burlington, North Carolina, letting weeds or other vegetation grow past twelve inches on any lot, occupied or vacant, is declared a nuisance under City Code § 22-2(1). Code enforcement mails and posts notice, giving the owner ten days to cut it before the city abates it and bills the owner, with civil penalties rising per repeat violation.
The existence of any of the following conditions on any lot or parcel of land in the city is hereby declared to be noxious, detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of its citizens and the peace and dignity of the city, and to constitute a nuisance and to be violative of the provisions of this chapter: ... Uncontrolled growth of weeds or other vegetation to a height of twelve (12) inches, or any rank vegetable growth that exhales unpleasant and noxious odors, or that may conceal filthy deposits, or harbor insects causing or threatening to cause a hazard detrimental to the public health or safety, whether the same be upon occupied or vacant premises. ... Unless the condition is abated within ten (10) days from the mailing and posting of the notice, the conditions constituting a nuisance will be abated. ... Upon a determination by a code enforcement official that conditions constituting a public nuisance exist on property and after proper notice is given pursuant to section 22-3, a violator may be subject to a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Full Breakdown
Section 22-2(1) declares it a nuisance to allow "uncontrolled growth of weeds or other vegetation to a height of twelve (12) inches," as well as rank vegetable growth that gives off noxious odors, conceals filthy deposits or harbors insects, whether the lot is occupied or vacant. When code enforcement finds this condition, § 22-3 requires both first-class mailed notice to the owner and occupant and a posted "Notice of Violation" on the property; the owner then has ten days from mailing and posting to cut the growth, though the code enforcement officer may extend that timeframe to work toward compliance.
If the owner does not comply, § 22-5 lets the city abate the nuisance itself and bill the owner for administrative fees and contractor labor and disposal charges, which becomes a lien against the property collectible with unpaid taxes if not paid within thirty days per § 22-9. Owners may appeal a notice of violation to the city manager within the ten-day period under § 22-4, which stays abatement until a final decision. Repeat offenders face escalating civil penalties under § 22-10(b): $100 for a first violation, $250 for a second within twelve months, and $500 for each subsequent violation in that same period, and a chronic violator with three or more notices in a calendar year can be re-cited without further warning under § 22-7.
Violations & Fines
Letting weeds or vegetation exceed twelve inches on any lot is a cited nuisance regardless of whether the property is occupied or vacant. A first notice of violation carries a $100 civil penalty once the ten-day cure period under § 22-3 expires uncured, rising to $250 for a second offense within twelve months and $500 for the third and each later offense in that period under § 22-10(b). The city may also mow the lot itself under § 22-5 and place the abatement cost as a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass or weeds legally get in Burlington before it's a violation?
How much time do I get to cut the grass after a notice?
What happens if I never cut it?
Do the fines go up if this keeps happening?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burlington
How Burlington compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Burlington to another location·View the North Carolina landscaping rules overview
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