Jefferson County, AL Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Ordinance
- No. 1188, as amended
- Height standard
- 12 inches, unincorporated
- Authority
- Ala. Code 45-37-170.01
- Wrong cite to avoid
- 11-67-41 is municipal-only
- Enforcement
- Criminal, District Court
Summary
Jefferson County's weed rules come from its own Weed and Litter Ordinance, No. 1188, adopted under a constitutional amendment and local acts, because Alabama counties have no home rule. Weeds over 12 inches are unlawful in unincorporated areas.
(a) Pursuant to Amendment 497 to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, Local Amendments, Jefferson County, § 10 the Jefferson County Commission is hereby authorized to enact ordinances to do all of the following:
(1) Prohibit the overgrowth of weeds and the storage and accumulation of junk, inoperable motor vehicles, and other litter.
(2) Implement, administer, and enforce the prohibition.
(3) Assess criminal penalties for violations thereof.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Jefferson County regulates weeds through Ordinance No. 1188, the Weed and Litter Ordinance, applying to every parcel in the unincorporated area and deeming weeds higher than 12 inches unsightly and unlawful, with cultivated land excluded. The authority chain matters in Alabama, where counties have no home rule: Amendment 497 to the constitution, implemented by Acts 87-758 and 89-527 and codified at Ala. Code sections 45-37-170 and 45-37-170.01, authorises the county commission to prohibit the overgrowth of weeds. The statewide section sometimes cited, 11-67-41, sits in a municipal-only title and confers no county authority. Enforcement is criminal, through District Court.
Violations & Fines
Violations are prosecuted by warrant in Jefferson County District Court as criminal violations, punishable by up to 30 days in county jail and a fine of up to 200 dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What law lets Jefferson County regulate weeds?
Does state law set the standard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
How Jefferson County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Alabama landscaping rules overview
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