Newark, OH Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Chapter 678 of the Newark Code of Ordinances, Ord. 80-34 passed April 21, 1980, runs weed enforcement through the Newark City Council rather than through a mowing-height rule. Section 678.01 declares weeds and litter on any lot or land a nuisance. Section 678.02(b) is the notice step: on written information that noxious weeds are growing on lands in the City and are about to spread or mature seeds, Council causes a written notice to be served on the owner, lessee, agent or tenant having charge of the land. The notice states that the noxious weeds must be cut and destroyed within five days after the service of the notice.

Service depends on where the owner lives. Under division (d), a nonresident owner whose address is known is sent the notice by certified mail. If the address is unknown, publishing the notice once in a newspaper of general circulation within the County is sufficient. Division (e) exempts land used under a municipal building or construction permit or license, a conditional zoning permit or variance to operate a junk yard, scrap metal processing facility or similar business, and certain permits issued under Ohio R.C. Chapter 3734, Sections 4737.05 through 4737.12 or Chapter 6111.

If the notice is ignored, Section 678.03 lets Council cut and destroy the weeds and employ the necessary labor. Council returns the costs to the County Auditor, and the amounts are entered on the tax duplicate as a lien on the land. Section 678.04 names the Division of Code Administration as the administrative agency that accepts, processes and presents complaints. Section 678.05 states that the chapter applies in addition to other state or local laws and does not pre-empt them.