Salt Lake County, UT Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- County Enforcement
- None - SLCoHD does not investigate
- SLC Height Limit
- 6 inches (Sec. 9.16.040)
- South Salt Lake
- 6 inches (Title 8.04)
- Cuttings
- Must be promptly removed
- Always-Remove
- Puncturevine, poison ivy, bindweed
- State Backstop
- Utah Code Sec. 4-17-104
- Abatement Notice
- 5 working days (state); 10 days (SLC)
Summary
Salt Lake County does not actively enforce a grass-height ordinance at the county level - the Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) explicitly states it cannot investigate noxious weed or overgrown vegetation complaints. In incorporated areas (Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Sandy, Murray, South Salt Lake, etc.), each municipality enforces its own grass and weed height limit. Salt Lake City Code Sec. 9.16.040 caps weeds and grass at 6 inches; South Salt Lake Code Sec. 8.04 applies the same 6-inch standard.
Weeds shall be maintained at a height of not more than six inches (6") at all times, and the cuttings shall be promptly cleared and removed from the premises. Low-growing puncturevine, poison ivy, and bindweed must be removed regardless of height. Weeds which are eradicated by chemicals must be done so before their height exceeds six inches (6"), or they must be cut at a level not exceeding six inches (6") in height. Weeds which are rototilled or removed by the root must be buried under the soil or removed from the property.
Full Breakdown
Salt Lake County's regulatory model for tall grass and overgrown vegetation is unusual: the county itself does not operate an active enforcement program for residential lawns. ' The county provides identification help and technical guidance, but the property owner is the responsible party for maintenance. Enforcement falls to the city in which the property sits. In Salt Lake City, Code Sec. 040 sets a 6-inch height cap on weeds and grass and requires that cuttings be promptly cleared and removed. Low-growing puncturevine, poison ivy, and bindweed must be removed regardless of height.
South Salt Lake Code Sec. 04 (Weeds and Nuisance Vegetation) uses the same 6-inch standard. West Valley City, West Jordan, Sandy, Murray, and other Salt Lake County suburbs each have analogous nuisance-weed chapters; West Jordan and West Valley City use a 6-inch standard while a handful of jurisdictions allow up to 8 inches for ornamental grasses. State backstop: Utah Code Sec. 4-17-104 authorizes counties to declare weed infestations a public nuisance after a 5-day notice and to perform the abatement at the owner's expense if the owner does not act.
Salt Lake County in practice defers this enforcement to municipal code officers and the SLCoHD, focusing on commercial agricultural noxious weed spread rather than residential lawn maintenance.
Violations & Fines
In Salt Lake City, a 9.16.040 violation can result in a notice to abate within a stated period (typically 10 days), after which the city may abate and lien the cost to the property under Sec. 9.16.060. Civil penalties under Salt Lake City's nuisance schedule typically begin at $100 for a first violation and escalate. Under Utah Code Sec. 4-17-104, after a 5-day notice the county or municipality may enter the property and bill the owner within 90 days. Failure to pay can become a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Salt Lake County itself enforce a grass-height ordinance?
What is the maximum lawn height in Salt Lake City?
What happens if I ignore a notice to mow?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake County
How Salt Lake County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Salt Lake County to another location·View the Utah landscaping rules overview
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