Cobb County, GA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 12 inches for weeds and grass
- Applies to
- all unincorporated Cobb County property
- Notice period
- 20 days to cut before citation
- Repeat penalty
- $250 second offense, $500 third
- Enforced by
- Cobb County code enforcement division
Summary
Unincorporated Cobb County bans weeds and grass over 12 inches tall on any property, with code enforcement issuing notice, then a Magistrate Court citation for continued violations.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any property to permit weeds to obtain a height exceeding 12 inches unless exempted as described in this section. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any property, that contains an easement for utility right-of-way, lake, pond or other water impoundment, to permit weeds to obtain a height exceeding 12 inches on any portion of the property, unless exempted as described in this section. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any property 40,000 square feet or larger where buildings or structures are located within 75 feet of the public right-of-way to permit weeds to obtain a height exceeding 12 inches on any portion of the property between the building or structure and the right-of-way.
(Ord. of 2-27-07; Ord. of 7-24-07; Ord. of 7-27-10; Amd. of 2-22-11; Amd. of 2-23-16; Amd. of 2-27-18; Amd. of 9-27-22)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53).
Full Breakdown
Cobb County's weed control ordinance makes it unlawful for a property owner in the unincorporated county to let weeds, defined to include grass, jimson, ragweed, thistle and other vegetative growth, exceed 12 inches in height. The rule applies broadly, including utility easements, lakes and ponds, and the yard between a building and the right-of-way on larger tracts. Farms and platted-subdivision exemptions aside, code enforcement personnel post and mail a violation notice; owners get 20 days to cut the growth before the county issues a Magistrate Court citation or, for vacant/abandoned lots, mows at the owner's expense.
Violations & Fines
First citation goes to Magistrate Court after a 20-day notice period; a second citation within 12 months adds a $250 penalty, a third adds $500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 12-inch weed limit apply to vacant lots in Cobb County?
Are farms exempt from Cobb County's weed ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cobb County
How Cobb County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Cobb County to another location·View the Georgia landscaping rules overview
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