Lakewood, OH Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- City Code
- LCO 1775.01(a)
- State Law
- ORC 731.51
- Cure Period
- 48 hours after city notice
- Listed Weeds
- 31 named species
Summary
Lakewood Section 1775.01 lists 31 noxious weeds (Canada thistle, giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, poison hemlock and more) that owners must cut or destroy within forty-eight hours of notice.
(a) The owner, occupant or person having the charge or management of any lot or parcel of land situated within the City, whether the same be improved or unimproved, vacant or occupied, within forty-eight hours of notice to do so, shall cut or destroy, or cause to be cut or destroyed, the following: (1) Any tropical or semi-tropical grasses classified as 'running bamboo' with monopodial (leptomorph) rhizome (root) systems when the plant has spread from its original premise of planting or is not being maintained. (2) Apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes). (3) Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). ... (8) Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). ... (13) Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum). ... (16) Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata). ... (23) Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum). ... (24) Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). ... (31) Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa).
Full Breakdown
Lakewood Codified Ordinances Section 1775.01(a) requires the owner, occupant, or person managing any lot, improved or unimproved, vacant or occupied, to cut or destroy listed noxious weeds within forty-eight hours of notice. The enumerated list includes running bamboo, Apple of Peru, Canada thistle, Columbus grass, cressleaf groundsel, field bindweed, giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, Johnsongrass, kudzu, leafy spurge, poison hemlock, purple loosestrife, Palmer amaranth, water hemp, wild carrot, and wild parsnip, among others. Ohio Revised Code Section 731.51 provides parallel state authority: on written information that noxious weeds are growing and about to spread or mature seeds, the municipal legislative authority serves written notice on the owner, who must act, after which the municipality may abate and assess the cost against the land.
Violations & Fines
If the City cuts or destroys the weeds, the cost is billed to the owner; under ORC 731.53 unpaid abatement costs may be assessed as a lien against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which weeds are banned in Lakewood?
How long do I have to remove noxious weeds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
How Lakewood compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Lakewood to another location·View the Ohio landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cuyahoga County handle weed ordinances.