Janesville, WI Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 12 inches for weeds/grass
- Exceptions
- Harvest crops, compliant natural landscaping
- Penalty
- $25 to $500 per offense
- Abatement notice
- 7 days written notice
- Unpaid cost
- Special assessment on tax roll
Summary
In the City of Janesville, no owner, occupant, renter, or lessee may let noxious weeds grow on property they own or control, and Sec. 22-204(b) sets a hard 12-inch cap: any weed or grass taller than 12 inches is a noxious weed unless it is a crop awaiting harvest or landscaping planted under the City's natural landscaping rules.
(a)No person shall permit the growth of noxious weeds on any property in the City which is owned, occupied, rented, leased or controlled by that person. In addition to the state statute definition for noxious weeds (Wis. Stats. § 66.0407) and Invasive Species (Wis. Stats. § 23.22) noxious weeds shall include, but is not limited to, the following list of species: ... (b)In addition, all other weeds and grasses over 12 inches in height are defined as noxious weeds except agricultural crops for harvest and natural vegetations planted in compliance with Section 22-207.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 22-204, part of Article VII covering noxious weeds, gardening, natural landscaping, and composting, builds on the state's own definitions at Wis. Stat. § 66.0407 (noxious weeds) and § 23.22 (invasive species) and adds 24 named species the City treats as noxious regardless of state listing, from buckthorn and Canada thistle to ragweed and purple loosestrife. Subsection (b) then supplies the general catch-all: any other weeds and grasses over 12 inches in height count as noxious weeds too, with two narrow carve-outs, crops awaiting harvest and vegetation planted as compliant natural landscaping under Sec.
22-207. The duty runs to whoever owns, occupies, rents, leases, or controls the property, not just the record owner, so a tenant can be cited as readily as a landlord. Sec. 22-209 backs the height limit with a real enforcement path: the City can give seven days' written notice, then send crews onto the property to mow or clear it if the owner has not complied, and charge the full cost back to the owner as a special assessment collected with property taxes if unpaid. The City can also pursue injunction, mandamus, or abatement actions in addition to the forfeiture set out below.
Violations & Fines
Violating the 12-inch weed and grass limit or the noxious species list under Sec. 22-204 carries a forfeiture of not less than $25.00 nor more than $500.00 plus prosecution costs under Sec. 22-209, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. Nonpayment can result in commitment to the Rock County Jail until the forfeiture and costs are satisfied.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I let my grass grow in Janesville before it violates the ordinance?
Who is responsible if a rental property's lawn gets too tall?
What happens if I ignore a mowing notice from the City?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Janesville
How Janesville compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Janesville to another location·View the Wisconsin landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Rock County handle weed ordinances.