Dakota County, MN Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- County limit
- None; set by city
- Typical city cap
- About 8 inches
- Noxious weeds
- Minn. Stat. 18.75-18.91
- Owner duty
- Control as inspector orders
- Enforcement
- Local weed inspector / city
Summary
Dakota County sets no countywide grass-height limit; cities set their own (commonly 8 inches) under Minn. Stat. Ch. 462. For designated noxious weeds, the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law (Minn. Stat. 18.78) requires all landowners to control them as ordered by the local weed inspector.
A person owning land, a person occupying land, or a person responsible for the maintenance of public land must control or eradicate all noxious weeds on the land at a time and in a manner ordered by an inspector or county-designated employee.
Full Breakdown
There is no Dakota County ordinance capping lawn or weed height. Each city adopts its own long-grass/weed nuisance ordinance under Minn. Stat. Ch. 462 - many Dakota County cities set the limit around 8 inches - and can mow and bill non-compliant owners. Separately, the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law (Minn. Stat. 18.75-18.91) covers listed noxious weeds (such as Canada thistle and common tansy) rather than ordinary tall grass. Under Minn. Stat. 18.78, subd. 1, every landowner, occupant, or maintainer of land must control or eradicate noxious weeds at the time and manner ordered by an inspector or county-designated employee. Each city or county appoints a local weed inspector to enforce this law.
Violations & Fines
Failure to cut ordinary weeds/grass is a city ordinance violation with abatement and special assessment; noxious-weed violations are enforced by the weed inspector, who can order control and recover costs under Minn. Stat. 18.78-18.83.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass be in Dakota County?
What about noxious weeds like thistle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dakota County
How Dakota County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Dakota County to another location·View the Minnesota landscaping rules overview
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