Dearborn Heights, MI Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Section 33-52 height trigger
- Six inches or more, or going to seed
- Section 7-586(1) dwelling lawns
- Eight inches or more in length is a violation
- Required cuts under 33-52
- Last half of May and last half of July
- Specific notice
- Posted and mailed first class, seven days to cut
- Appeal window
- Three calendar days from the date of the notice
- City abatement charge
- $75.00 or 25% of the contractor's fee, whichever is more
- Penalty
- Municipal civil infraction, fines set by council resolution
Summary
Dearborn Heights prints two height figures. Section 33-52 makes the owner, occupant or person in charge of any lot or parcel cut weeds, grass and vegetation before they reach six inches or more, and at least twice a year. Section 7-586(1) tells the owner or occupant of a dwelling to keep tall seeding grass and weeds out of the front yard, rear yard and easements, and states that eight inches or more in length is a violation.
(a) It is hereby made the duty of the owner or occupant of lot or parcel of land, or any person having charge of any lot or parcel of land, within the limits of the city upon which vegetation is growing or standing, to cut, destroy, and remove, or cause to be cut, destroyed, and removed, all such weeds, grass, and vegetation growing, standing, resting, or accumulating on such premises as often as may be necessary to prevent them from going to seed and/or reaching a height of six (6) inches or more, but in any event, at least twice a year, once during the last half of the month of May and again during the last half of July of each year and more often as may be necessary. ... Every owner or occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall be responsible for maintaining the exterior of the building. Such maintenance shall include, but is not limited to: (1) Maintaining the lawn so as to prevent tall seeding grass and weeds in the front yard, rear yard and easements. Eight (8) inches or more in length shall constitute a violation of this article.
Official source re-checked November 3, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
Section 33-52(a) puts the duty on the owner or occupant of a lot or parcel of land, or any person having charge of one, within the city limits. That person must cut, destroy and remove, or cause to be cut, destroyed and removed, all weeds, grass and vegetation growing, standing, resting or accumulating on the premises, as many times as needed to prevent them from going to seed and/or reaching a height of six inches or more. In any event the cutting happens at least twice a year, once during the last half of May and again during the last half of July, with more cutting whenever needed.
Section 7-586 sits outside Chapter 33 and addresses the exterior of a building. It makes every owner or occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit responsible for maintaining that exterior, and its list opens with the lawn. Subsection (1) calls for maintaining the lawn so as to prevent tall seeding grass and weeds in the front yard, rear yard and easements, then states that eight inches or more in length constitutes a violation of the article. The same section also lists structural upkeep and the disposal of any accumulation of debris in yards and easements.
The two sections print two figures for two descriptions of property. Section 33-52 states six inches for weeds, grass and vegetation on any lot or parcel of land within the city. Section 7-586(1) states eight inches for the lawn of a dwelling or dwelling unit, in the front yard, rear yard and easements.
Section 33-52(c) carves out lands situated within any area between the lower or upper banks of streams or watercourses, and any lands devoted to growing any grain crop. Section 33-51 separately prohibits letting vegetation grow with noxious weeds scattered among it, naming Canada Thistles, Wild Carrot, Ox-Eye Daisies, Wild Mustard, Ragweed, Goldenrod, Bindweed, Perennial Snow Thistle, Hoary Alyssum, Poison Ivy and Poison Sumac, and declares the presence of such weeds a public nuisance.
The building and engineering department runs the notice process. It publishes a general notice in the official newspaper twice a year, once in the first half of April and again in the first half of July. It also posts a specific written notice on the property and mails it first class to the owner shown on the tax assessment rolls, giving seven days to cut down or remove the growth.
Violations & Fines
A person found in violation of Article III is responsible for a municipal civil infraction, and city council sets the fine schedule by resolution (section 33-56). Under section 33-52(b), liability follows a determination of responsibility in a court of competent jurisdiction against an owner, occupant or person in charge who knowingly suffers weeds, grass or vegetation to grow, rest or accumulate, or lets weeds ripen so as to endanger their spread. City cutting adds an administrative charge of $75.00 or 25% of the contractor's fee, whichever is more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass get in Dearborn Heights before it is a violation?
When do the required cuts happen each year?
What notice does the city give before it cuts my lot?
How do I challenge the abatement or the estimated charge?
What happens to the bill if the city cuts the property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn Heights
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