Marion County, OR Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height trigger
- Over 10 inches (in UGB)
- Citation
- Marion County Code 8.15
- Abatement deadline
- 10 days from notice
- Penalty
- Class B, then Class A repeat
- Cities
- Set their own limits
Summary
Within the unincorporated Salem-Keizer urban growth boundary, Marion County Code 8.15 defines nuisance vegetation as weeds and grasses more than 10 inches tall, dead or dying vegetation, poison oak, and fire or traffic hazards. Owners must abate it within 10 days of a county notice. Cities set their own grass
Nuisance vegetation means, but is not limited to, weeds and grasses more than 10 inches in height; dead or dying vegetation; poison oak; hazardous thickets; other rank, noxious, and dangerous vegetation that is a health hazard or a fire hazard.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 1489, passed April 15, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Marion County Code 8.15 (nuisance vegetation ordinance, Ord. 1193) applies to property inside the portion of the Salem-Keizer urban growth boundary under county jurisdiction. 'Nuisance vegetation' means weeds and grasses more than 10 inches in height, dead or dying vegetation, poison oak, hazardous thickets, and other rank, noxious vegetation that is a health, fire, or traffic hazard; it excludes agricultural crops and ornamental landscaping grasses. No owner may cause or permit nuisance vegetation, and the county enforcement officer may demand abatement within 10 days of written notice. Outside the UGB, tall grass is addressed through the general nuisance code and the separate county weed control district (MCC 8.20). Salem and Keizer set their own numeric grass-height limits in city code.
Violations & Fines
A first offense is a fine up to the Class B violation amount; a repeat within one year or failure to abate is up to the Class A violation amount, and the county may abate with a 25% overhead surcharge
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass be in unincorporated Marion County?
What if I ignore the county's weed notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marion County
How Marion County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Marion County to another location·View the Oregon landscaping rules overview
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