Penn Hills, PA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 10 inches, within 200 ft of structure
- Vacant lot coverage
- Applies even with no structure present
- Mow order
- 5-day notice before Municipality mows and bills
- Abatement trigger
- Growth above 12 inches after notice
- Exemptions
- Cultivated gardens, lots over 1 acre
Summary
Penn Hills bans noxious weeds and plant growth over 10 inches tall within 200 feet of any structure, and the same limit reaches vacant lots in developed residential areas even without a structure present.
All areas within two hundred feet (200) of any structure shall be kept free from noxious weeds or plant growth in excess of ten inches (10") in height. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation other than trees or shrubs, provided, however, that this term shall not include cultivated flowers or gardens, parcels of ground over one acre in size, or properties owned by the Municipality of Penn Hills, the Penn Hills School District, or Allegheny County. These provisions do apply to vacant lots in otherwise developed residential areas with adjacent homes and lawns. In this case, a landowner shall control noxious weeds and keep vegetation below ten inches (10") in height regardless of the presence or absence of a home or structure. It shall be the duty of any person owning, leasing, occupying, or controlling any plot of ground in Penn Hills to prevent the growth of weeds thereon.
Section 301.6.1 Other vegetation (Added): In addition to the prevention of noxious weeds and the maintenance of lawns as described in Section 301.6, other vegetation on both residential and nonresidential property must be appropriately maintained. Shrubbery, hedges, trees, planters and other vegetation must be trimmed, pruned and/or cut in order to prevent visibility problems or detrimental effects on adjacent property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4434863; v5 updated 2025-07-21; through 07-21-2025).
Full Breakdown
The Municipality of Penn Hills' amended Existing Structures Code, Section 301.6, requires all areas within 200 feet of any structure be kept free of noxious weeds or plant growth taller than 10 inches, covering grasses and annual plants but excluding cultivated flowers, gardens, parcels over one acre, and municipal, school district, or county land. The rule explicitly reaches vacant lots in otherwise developed residential neighborhoods regardless of whether a structure sits on the lot. Under Section 110.4, code officials issue a five-day notice to mow before cutting the weeds themselves and billing the owner as a municipal lien if growth exceeds 12 inches.
Violations & Fines
Failure to mow after a five-day notice lets Penn Hills cut the weeds itself and lien the property for the cost, plus general Code penalties for the underlying Existing Structures Code violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Penn Hills regulate weed height on my property?
What happens if I don't cut overgrown weeds after a notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Penn Hills
How Penn Hills compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Penn Hills to another location·View the Pennsylvania landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Allegheny County handle weed ordinances.