Cranston, RI Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height threshold
- 10 inches or more
- Governing section
- Cranston Code § 15.24.040
- Enforcing office
- Building safety and inspections director
- Scope
- Business, commercial, industrial premises
- Penalty basis
- RIGL 45-2-21, per-day violation
Summary
Cranston caps weeds and grass at ten inches on restaurants, stores, motels, and other business, commercial and industrial premises. Growth reaching that height is a code violation the building inspections department can cite.
The owner or person in control of any public place, including, but not limited to, restaurants, shopping centers, fast food outlets, stores, motels, industrial and commercial establishments, to maintain such areas in a reasonably clean and orderly manner... It shall be a violation of this section to abandon, neglect or disregard the condition or appearance of any area so as to permit it to accumulate litter, refuse, rubbish, trash, and the growth of weeds and/or grasses to height of ten (10) inches or over.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4824304; v14 updated 2026-05-18).
Full Breakdown
Cranston Code § 15.24.040, in the commercial and industrial building standards chapter, makes it a violation for the owner or person controlling a public-facing business premises to let weeds or grass reach ten inches or more, alongside letting litter, refuse, rubbish or trash accumulate. Enforcement runs through the director of building safety and inspections under § 15.24.050, with written notice and a chance to correct before a municipal court complaint. Penalties follow RIGL 45-2-21, and each day of noncompliance is a separate violation under § 15.24.060. The ordinance targets commercial-type premises, restaurants, shopping centers, stores, motels, and industrial and commercial establishments, not single-family residential lawns.
Violations & Fines
Weeds/grass at 10+ inches on a business premises; each uncorrected day is a separate violation; penalty under RIGL 45-2-21 after notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cranston limit grass height on residential lawns?
What happens if a business doesn't cut overgrown grass?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
How Cranston compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Cranston to another location·View the Rhode Island landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle weed ordinances.