Baltimore County, MD Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Max grass/weed height
- 8 inches
- Governing law
- County Code § 13-7-401
- Cut-back requirement
- 3 inches within 7 days
- First/second/third fine
- $100 / $500 / $1,000
- Criminal penalty
- Up to 30 days
Summary
Baltimore County's Weed Ordinance bars an owner or occupant from allowing grass, weeds, or other rank vegetation to exceed 8 inches in height (County Code Section 13-7-401). After notice you have days to cut to 3 inches, or the County mows it and charges you.
An owner, occupant, or person in control of a lot or parcel of land in the county may not allow or maintain on the lot or parcel of land: (1) A growth of grass, weeds, or other rank vegetation to a height exceeding 8 inches.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29 | Zoning Regulations: Supplement 10).
Full Breakdown
County Code Section 13-7-401(a) prohibits an owner, occupant, or person in control of a lot from allowing a growth of grass, weeds, or other rank vegetation to a height exceeding 8 inches, and bars ragweed, poison ivy, and other noxious weeds. Subsection (b) lets the Department modify the rule for agricultural land, wooded areas, vegetated buffers, stream and habitat protection areas, and unimproved areas over 3 acres. Under Section 13-7-402 the County issues a correction notice requiring the vegetation be cut to a height not exceeding 3 inches. Under Section 13-7-403, if the owner does not comply within 7 days of the notice, the County cuts the growth to 3 inches and the expense becomes a lien on the property.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or up to 30 days. Civil fines within three months run to $100 (first), $500 (second), and $1,000 (third and later); each day is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass legally get in Baltimore County?
What happens if I don't cut my lawn?
How big are the fines?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Baltimore County
How Baltimore County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Baltimore County to another location·View the Maryland landscaping rules overview
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