Eagan, MN Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Eagan's vegetation standards encourage property owners to plant and maintain vegetation that adds diversity but prohibit unmanaged growth and noxious weeds. The City caps turfgrass and general vegetation at 8 inches under City Code Section 10.21, measured from ground level to the tip of each blade or stem. Even a registered Managed Natural Landscape, which may include grasses and forbs taller than eight inches that have gone to seed, may not contain any noxious weeds and must be actively maintained. The duty to eradicate noxious weeds is set by state law: Minnesota Statutes 18.78 provides that a person owning, occupying, or responsible for maintaining land must manage all noxious weeds, according to the categories in Minn. Stat. 18.771, at a time and manner ordered by an inspector or county-designated employee. Under Minnesota's Noxious Weed Law, the local weed inspector is the city mayor (who may appoint an assistant), and an inspector may order control or eradication of noxious weeds on any land in the jurisdiction. If a landowner refuses, the responsible authority may complete the work and charge the cost back to the property owner. Eagan's own guidance reminds residents that Minnesota statute requires them to eradicate noxious weeds on land they own, occupy, or are required to maintain.