Montgomery County, MD Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 12 inches
- Applies
- subdivisions + 100 ft buffer
- Enforced by
- Dept. of Housing & Community Affairs
- Penalty
- Class B violation, up to $200
- Excludes
- trees, shrubs, flowers, garden vegetables
Summary
Montgomery County caps weeds and grass at 12 inches within 15 feet of any property line in subdivisions and the 100 feet around them; the Department of Housing and Community Affairs can order removal and bill the owner.
An owner, lessee, agent, and any other person in charge of land in a subdivision or within 100 feet of a subdivision must not allow: (a) The generalized growth of any weed; and (b) Any generalized plant growth more than 12 inches high within 15 feet of any property boundary. Generalized plant growth does not include trees, ornamental shrubs, flowers, or garden vegetables.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Montgomery County Code § 58-3 bars any owner, lessee, agent, or person in charge of land in a subdivision, or within 100 feet of one, from letting generalized weed growth take hold, or any generalized plant growth (excluding trees, ornamental shrubs, flowers, and garden vegetables) exceed 12 inches within 15 feet of a property line. The property maintenance code separately ties dwelling and nonresidential upkeep to this same 12-inch cap under Chapter 58 (§§ 26-9(b)(5), 26-10(a)). If an owner ignores a Department of Housing and Community Affairs notice under § 58-4, the Director can send crews to cut the growth and bill the cost as a property tax lien under § 58-5.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 58 is a class B violation, up to $200 and 30 days in jail criminally, or a $100 civil fine ($150 for repeat offenses), plus the county's cutting and lien costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 12-inch limit apply to my whole yard?
What happens if I ignore a notice to cut weeds?
Does this apply inside Rockville or Gaithersburg?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
How Montgomery County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland landscaping rules overview
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