Durham declares dense weeds, vines, briars and undergrowth a public nuisance when they harbor pests or sit near buildings. Overgrowth over 12 inches high must be cleared and cut to no more than six inches.
Durham City Code § 26-181 finds that dense growths of weeds, vines, briars or undergrowth allowed to accumulate can harbor rodents, vermin or mosquitoes and increase fire, disease and injury hazards. A prohibited condition is weeds, grass, vines or briars over 12 inches high within 100 feet of an abutting public street or 50 feet of a house or other building; owners must clear and cut them to not more than six inches. The code enforcement / housing code administrator issues a mailed and posted notice of violation, and a 'chronic violator' (two notices in a calendar year) can face expedited abatement. The city may cut the growth and bill the owner.
Civil penalty $100 first day plus $10 per day thereafter (§ 26-190); city may abate and lien the cost; final-order violations carry a criminal fine up to $500 (§ 26-189).
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
durham-county-nc
Durham County parks run seasonal daytime hours, not 24-hour access. Little River Regional Park, the county's flagship, opens at 8 a.m. and closes between 5 a...
durham-county-nc
Durham's UDO limits light crossing onto neighbors. Illumination at a property line next to a residential district may not exceed 0.5 foot-candles, and lighti...
durham-county-nc
Durham's UDO caps outdoor light-fixture height and spillover. Fixtures near homes are limited to 15 feet above grade within 50 feet of a residential property...
durham-county-nc
Durham's UDO allows a yard sale sign without a permit. It may not exceed four square feet in area, is limited to one per lot, and may be put up two weeks bef...
durham-county-nc
North Carolina law lets political signs sit in the right-of-way of most roads during an election window. Under NCGS 136-32, a sign may be no larger than 864 ...
durham-county-nc
Durham has no separate tiny-home category. A site-built tiny house is regulated as a dwelling or accessory dwelling under the UDO and North Carolina Resident...
See how Durham County's weed ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.