Owensboro, KY Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Owensboro Municipal Code Sec. 5-137(b)(20) declares excessive growth of weeds, grass or other vegetation a public nuisance across the city, carving out an exception only for flowers or other ornamental vegetation that is properly maintained. Unless another provision states otherwise, the ordinance defines 'excessive' as growth reaching a height of ten inches or more, a bright-line numeric standard that applies to improved residential and commercial lots as the baseline rule, distinct from the separate mowing schedule the same subsection sets for undeveloped acreage over two acres.

A code enforcement officer who personally observes grass or weeds at or above that height may issue a notice of violation under Sec. 5-129, giving the owner a reasonable period to cut it before a citation issues. The citation must identify the section violated, the fine that applies and the deadline to pay or appeal. Under Sec. 5-130, the recipient has seven days to pay or file a written appeal with the public works director for a hearing before the five-member Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Board, created under KRS 65.8801 to 65.8840.

If the board dismisses the weeds-and-grass portion of a citation, Sec. 5-129(h) bars the city from recovering its own abatement costs for that dismissed portion; otherwise the city may mow the property and bill the owner. Board orders are appealable to Daviess County District Court under Sec. 5-135, tried de novo with the city carrying the burden of proof.