Knoxville, TN Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 12 inches for grass and weeds
- Legal effect
- Presumed a public nuisance over 12"
- Cure period
- 10 days after written notice
- Citation
- Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 13-143(a)
- Penalty
- Up to $50 fine, $400 in costs
Summary
Grass, weeds, and other vegetation on Knoxville property can't top 12 inches: anything taller is presumed a public nuisance the owner must correct, per City Code § 13-143.
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, leasing, occupying or having control of property in the city to permit of suffer trees, vines, grass, weeds, underbrush or any other vegetation to grow or debris, trash, litter, garbage, refuse or other materials or any combination of such elements to accumulate on such property to such an extent that a nuisance is created injurious to the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the city, or that infestation by rats or other harmful animals is encouraged. Vines, grass, weeds, underbrush or vegetation which has attained a height of twelve (12) inches or more shall be presumed to be detrimental to the public health and a public nuisance, which presumption may be rebutted by competent evidence.(b)It shall also be unlawful for any owner, occupant, lessee or anyone having supervision or control of any lot, tract, parcel of land or portion thereof, occupied or unoccupied, improved or unimproved, within the city to suffer or permit trees, vines, grass, weeds or any plant that is not cultivated to grow in rank profusion or otherwise in, along, upon or across the sidewalk or street adjacent to the premises in the area between the property line and the curb line, or within the area ten (10) feet beyond the property line, to a height greater than twelve (12) inches on an average. (Ord. No. O-451-00, § 1, 10-3-00; Ord. No. O-188-2010, § 2, 12-28-10)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Knoxville Code § 13-143(a) makes it unlawful for any owner, lessee, or occupant to let grass, weeds, vines, or underbrush grow, or debris accumulate, to the point it becomes a nuisance or invites rats and other pests. Vegetation reaching 12 inches or more is presumed a public nuisance, though an owner can rebut that presumption with competent evidence. The city's code enforcement division issues a written notice under § 13-145 giving the owner 10 days to cut the growth before the city can abate it and bill the cost as a lien on the property.
Violations & Fines
Uncut lots draw a code enforcement notice with a 10-day cure period; the city can then mow and lien the property, plus a civil penalty up to $50 and administrative costs up to $400 (§ 13-147).
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the maximum grass or weed height allowed on a Knoxville property?
What happens if I don't cut overgrown grass after a Knoxville notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
How Knoxville compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Knoxville to another location·View the Tennessee landscaping rules overview
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