Lincoln, NE Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 6 inches
- Notice to cure
- 5 days (24 hrs near fire hazards, Nov 15–May 1)
- Enforcing agency
- Weed Control Authority
- Cost recovery
- Lien via Lancaster County Register of Deeds
- Max fine
- $100 per day
Summary
Lincoln caps weeds and worthless vegetation at six inches on any property, including the abutting half of streets and alleys, or the Weed Control Authority cuts it and bills the owner.
It shall be the duty of every owner of real estate in the city to cut and clear, or clear, such real estate, together with one-half of the streets and alleys abutting thereon, of all weeds or worthless vegetation whenever such weeds or worthless vegetation shall extend more than six inches above the ground.
Full Breakdown
Lincoln Municipal Code Chapter 8.46 makes every property owner responsible for cutting weeds and worthless vegetation before it exceeds six inches above the ground, on their lot and on half of any abutting street or alley. The Weed Control Authority (or the Department of Transportation and Utilities if that office withdraws) handles enforcement: on a complaint, it can give five days' notice to control the growth, then enter the property, do the work itself, and record a lien notice with the Lancaster County Register of Deeds. A companion fire-hazard rule tightens the deadline to 24 hours between November 15 and May 1 when weeds sit near a lumber yard, oil tank, or wooden structure.
Violations & Fines
Uncontrolled weeds after notice let the Weed Control Authority enter and cut the lot, then bill the owner and file a lien with the Register of Deeds; unpaid costs draw the delinquent-property-tax interest rate and go to the City Council for assessment. Separately, violating any duty under Chapter 8.46 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $100 fine, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can weeds get on my Lincoln property before it's a violation?
What happens if I don't cut weeds after a notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln
How Lincoln compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Lincoln to another location·View the Nebraska landscaping rules overview
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