Kenosha, WI Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 5.117, Control of Noxious Weeds, defines 'Noxious Weeds' to include Canada thistle, leafy spurge, field bindweed (also called Creeping Jenny), giant ragweed, common ragweed, other species listed in the University of Illinois publication 'Weeds of the North Central States,' and, critically, 'grass which is equal to or exceeds eight (8) inches in height.' Subsection B requires every person to destroy all noxious weeds on land they own, occupy, or control, including lawn park areas governed by Section 5.051, and extends the duty to the parkway strip between the sidewalk and street, which Section 5.051 assigns to the abutting property owner. The person in immediate charge of any public land must destroy noxious weeds there as well.

Every year, on or before May 15, the City publishes a Class 2 legal notice in the official newspaper reminding residents that state law requires them to destroy noxious weeds on land they own, occupy, or control. The Director of the Department of City Inspections serves as the City's Weed Commissioner under Wis. Stat. § 66.0517 and appoints Deputy Weed Commissioners to help enforce the chapter.

When grass or weeds reach or pass eight inches, the Weed Commissioner can send crews to cut the vegetation directly rather than wait for the property owner to act. The City then recovers its cutting cost through a special assessment against the property, plus a flat one-hundred-dollar administrative fee for processing that assessment. Section 5.117 builds in no separate warning period before the City can act once the eight-inch threshold is met.