Dearborn, MI Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Max grass height
- 6 inches
- Applies to
- Front, side, rear yard
- Also covers
- Adjacent rights-of-way, easements
- Responsible party
- Owner or occupant
Summary
Dearborn homeowners and occupants must keep lawns under six inches. City Code § 11-158 makes tall grass, vegetation, and weeds in any yard or adjacent easement a code violation under the Minimum Housing Standards.
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 lawn so as to prevent tall grass, vegetation and weeds in the front yard, side yard, rear yard, adjacent rights-of-way and easements. Six inches or more in length shall constitute a violation of this article.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 11-158, every owner or occupant of a Dearborn dwelling or dwelling unit is responsible for maintaining the exterior of the property, including the lawn. The ordinance specifically bars tall grass, vegetation, and weeds in the front, side, and rear yards, plus adjacent rights-of-way and easements, and sets the trigger at six inches: growth reaching that height or more is a violation. The same section separately requires disposing of yard debris and keeping structures like garages, decks, and fences free of disrepair. This exterior-maintenance duty sits in the Minimum Housing Standards article of the Housing Code, enforced through the city's standard inspection and citation process.
Violations & Fines
A code violation under § 11-158; the city's housing inspectors issue notices requiring the owner or occupant to cut grass, vegetation, or weeds back below six inches, with citations for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass get before it's a violation in Dearborn?
Does this rule apply to vacant land too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn
How Dearborn compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Dearborn to another location·View the Michigan landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle weed ordinances.