Canton, OH Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Canton Codified Ordinances Chapter 551, "Weeds and Litter," sets the citywide standard for every property owner in the City of Canton, Ohio. Section 551.01(a) bars grass or weeds over eight inches and prohibits litter on any parcel of land, defining "litter" by cross-reference to Ohio R.C. 731.51 and "noxious weeds" by cross-reference to Ohio Administrative Code Section 901:5-37-10. Each year the Director of Public Service or Public Safety must publish notice of these obligations in a newspaper of general circulation under Section 551.01(b). When the Director finds a violation, Section 551.02 requires an order giving the property owner five days to correct the condition before the City abates it at the owner's expense.

Section 551.03 requires that notice go by regular or certified mail to the address the Stark County Auditor uses for real estate tax billing, or by posting on the property for five days if mail cannot be completed; only one notice per owner is required even for repeat violations in later years. If the owner still fails to comply, Section 551.05 lets the Director remove the grass, weeds or litter using City employees, the Canton City Board of Health, or outside labor, and requires the Director to record and bill removal, inspection, research, notification and administrative charges.

Unpaid bills after thirty days become a lien on the property, certified by Council ordinance to the Stark County Auditor for collection with property taxes, and the City may also refer delinquent accounts to a collection agency or law firm, adding the collection fee and court costs to the balance due. Section 551.06 gives an affected owner twenty days to appeal an order or assessment to the Board of Building Appeals, which can affirm, modify or dismiss it after a hearing.