Jackson County, MO Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 15 inches for grass/weeds
- Applies to
- platted unincorporated lots only
- Compliance window
- 15 days after notice
- Max penalty
- $200 fine or 30 days jail
- Not covered
- Kansas City, Independence, other cities
Summary
Jackson County caps grass and weeds at 15 inches on platted lots in unincorporated areas; taller growth is a declared public nuisance subject to notice, forced removal, and fines up to $200.
Vegetation Taller Than Fifteen Inches. Vegetation, other than agricultural, horticultural products, or native plantings, which exceeds fifteen inches (15") in height; or
c. Vegetation Harboring Vermin. All vegetation, regardless of height, which conceals or invites filth deposits or which harbors rodents, refuse, or vermin.
d. Examples. Rank weed includes but is not limited to the following: curled dock, sour dock (rumex crispus); lambsquarter (chenopodium album); common ragweed (ambrosia artemisiifolia); giant ragweed (ambrosia trifida), kinghead (ambrosia trifidia); giant fox tail (setaria faberi); Johnson grass (sorghum halepense); hemp (cannabis sativa); stinging nettle, nettle (urtica procera); smooth dock (rumex altissimus); mullein (verbascum thapsus); gray goldenrod, field goldenrod (solidago nemoralis); pokeweed (phytolacca Americana), polkberry (phytolocca Americana); wild onion (allium canadense); field peppergrass and cos cress (lepidium campestre); leafy surge (euphorbia esula); wild carrot, Queen Anne's lace (daucus carota); wild parsnip (pastinaca sativa); nodding thistle (carduus nutans); beggar tick (bidens laevis); burdock (arctium minus); sticktight
Full Breakdown
Jackson County Code Chapter 46 defines a 'Rank Weed' as vegetation over fifteen inches (15") tall, plus noxious-odor plants and vegetation harboring vermin, and applies only to unincorporated property with a recorded subdivision plat. The county's Code Enforcement Officer (the 'Health Officer') gives written notice; the owner has 15 days to cut or remove the growth or request a hearing before the Director. If the owner doesn't comply, the county cuts it, bills the cost as a special tax plus $10 inspection and $5 tax-bill charges, and can prosecute for a fine up to $200 or 30 days in jail, with each day a separate offense. Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Raytown and Grandview enforce their own separate codes.
Violations & Fines
Fine up to $200 and/or up to 30 days in jail per violation, with each day of non-compliance on each lot a separate offense; the county also cuts the vegetation and bills the cost as a special tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside Kansas City?
What happens if I ignore the notice?
Can I contest the violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson County
How Jackson County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Jackson County to another location·View the Missouri landscaping rules overview
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