Coon Rapids, MN Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 8 inches
- Applies within
- 100 feet of occupied building
- Also applies
- Sight triangles and rights-of-way
- Enforcement tool
- Administrative citation, Chapter 2-1100
- Adopted
- Ordinance No. 2335, Nov. 18, 2025
Summary
In the City of Coon Rapids, weeds and grass on most lots cannot grow past eight inches or be left to go to seed under City Code § 8-503(2). The rule reaches property within 100 feet of an occupied building, inside sight triangles, and along public rights-of-way, including the strip between a sidewalk and the curb.
(2)Except as part of a Managed Natural Landscape as defined in this section, any weeds or grasses growing upon any lot or parcel of land to a greater height than eight inches or that have gone or about to go to seed are prohibited. This section applies to the following lands:(a)Within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, office, commercial, or industrial building;(b)Within a Sight Triangle as defined by Section 11-201, unless a right-of-way permit is obtained;(c)Within a public right-of-way, including the area between a sidewalk or trail and the curb of a street, unless a right-of-way permit is obtained.
Full Breakdown
City Code § 8-503, enacted by Ordinance No. 2335 on November 18, 2025, makes it unlawful, except as part of a qualifying Managed Natural Landscape under § 8-505, for weeds or grasses on any lot or parcel to grow taller than eight inches or to go to seed or be about to go to seed. The height limit does not apply everywhere in the City; § 8-503(2) ties it to three specific situations: land within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, office, commercial or industrial building; land within a Sight Triangle defined by § 11-201 unless a right-of-way permit is obtained; and land within a public right-of-way, including the strip between a sidewalk or trail and the curb, unless a right-of-way permit is obtained.
Section 8-504 carves out further exceptions for steep slopes of 3:1 or greater, Natural Areas, designated scenic or conservation easements, Gardens and Rain Gardens, City park land, official floodplains, and drainage ponds or ditches. The Landscape Manager, defined as the City Manager or a designee, enforces the height limit through the administrative citation process in Chapter 2-1100: notice is served ordering the weeds cut, and if the owner or occupant does not comply, the City abates the nuisance itself and bills the cost as an administrative penalty under § 2-1104, with an appeal available under § 2-1106.
Violations & Fines
Letting weeds or grass exceed eight inches within a covered area is both a misdemeanor and a nuisance under § 8-503(1) as applied through § 8-506. The Landscape Manager issues an administrative citation under Chapter 2-1100 ordering the growth cut and removed; if the owner ignores it, the City cuts the vegetation itself and charges the abatement cost as an administrative penalty, appealable under § 2-1106.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my grass legally get in Coon Rapids?
What happens if I do not cut overgrown weeds after a notice?
Does the weed height rule apply to my whole backyard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coon Rapids
How Coon Rapids compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Coon Rapids to another location·View the Minnesota landscaping rules overview
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