Littleton, CO Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 8 inches for weeds/grass
- Applies to
- Occupied and unoccupied lots alike
- Exempt areas
- Parks, natural areas, detention basins
- Abatement
- City can cut and bill the owner
- Effective date
- 8/29/2024 (Ord. 20, 2024)
Summary
Littleton caps weeds, grasses and herbaceous plants at 8 inches on any lot in the city. City Code Section 7-4-4 declares taller growth a nuisance on occupied or unoccupied land alike, with exceptions for city parks, natural areas and detention basins.
A. It is unlawful, and shall constitute a nuisance for any owner of any occupied or unoccupied lot or any parcel of land within the City limits, including, without limitation, public and utility easements and drainage ways within such property, to fail to comply with the terms and conditions of any noxious weed management plan adopted by the City or to permit or maintain on any such parcel of land, or lot, any accumulation, collection, presence or growth of any weeds or any grasses or other herbaceous plants, over eight (8) inches in height or greater.
Full Breakdown
Section 7-4-4(A) makes it unlawful, and a nuisance, for any owner of an occupied or unoccupied lot or parcel within the city limits, including public and utility easements and drainage ways on the property, to permit or maintain any accumulation, collection, presence or growth of weeds, grasses or other herbaceous plants over eight inches in height, or to fail to comply with a noxious weed management plan adopted by the city. S. , or by the local advisory board, found growing on any lot, tract or parcel in the city.
That advisory board is the City Council itself under Section 7-4-2, with the mayor as chair. Section 7-4-4(B) exempts city-owned parks, open space, stream beds or banks, natural areas, wetlands, and detention basins from the height limit. The chapter applies citywide to all real property under Section 7-4-1, treating an owner as occupying to the center of any abutting alley and to the edge of any abutting street's traveled portion. The nuisance provision was last amended by Ordinance 20, Series of 2024, effective August 29, 2024.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 7-4-5, the City serves notice on the responsible party per Section 7-1-6 when a violation is found. If the party fails to correct it, the City may cut or remove the weeds itself and charge the cost to the property under Section 7-1-7. Beyond abatement costs, Chapter 7-4 carries no separate fine, so the general penalty in Section 1-4-1, up to $2,650 or up to 364 days in jail, applies, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass legally grow in Littleton before it's a violation?
Does the 8-inch rule apply to vacant lots too?
What happens if I don't cut the weeds after a notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Littleton
How Littleton compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Littleton to another location·View the Colorado landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle weed ordinances.