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Lorain County, OH Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

City nuisance height
Over 8 inches
Roadside weeds
ORC 5579.04 (townships)
Partition-fence strip
ORC 971.33, 4 feet
Township lot clearing
ORC 505.87
Cost recovery
Lien / tax duplicate

Summary

Ohio law and local codes both target noxious weeds. City codes (Elyria, Lorain) treat weeds over 8 inches as a nuisance. Ohio Revised Code 5579.04 orders townships to destroy roadside noxious weeds, and 971.33 makes landowners clear a 4-foot strip along partition fences.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Lorain County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A board of county commissioners, a board of township trustees, or the street commissioners of a municipal corporation... shall destroy all brush, briers, burrs, vines, noxious weeds... growing within the limits of a county or township road or improved, graveled, or macadamized road, street, or alley within their jurisdiction.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Weed control in Lorain County runs on two tracks. Municipal codes declare tall weeds a nuisance: Elyria CO 553.02 and Lorain Chapter 557 both use an 8-inch threshold and abate at the owner's cost. State law adds distinctive Ohio rules. ORC 5579.04 directs county commissioners, township trustees, and municipal street commissioners to destroy brush, briers, and noxious weeds along roads between set June, August, and September dates. ORC 971.33 requires owners next to a partition fence to keep noxious weeds cut in the fence corners and a 4-foot strip along the fence line. Townships may also clear private lots under ORC 505.87 and lien the cost.

Violations & Fines

Cities mow non-compliant lots and assess the cost (a $300 minimum in Lorain) as a property lien; townships recover abatement costs on the tax duplicate under ORC 505.87.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ohio's partition-fence weed law require?
ORC 971.33: owners must 'keep all brush, briers, thistles, or other noxious weeds cut in the fence corners and a strip four feet wide on the owner's side along the line of a partition fence.'
Who cuts weeds along the road?
Under ORC 5579.04 the township trustees, county commissioners, or municipal street commissioners destroy roadside noxious weeds during set June, August, and September windows or when a hazard exists.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lorain County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage TreesSome RestrictionsTree TrimmingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Lorain County rules

How Lorain County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Lorain County to another location·View the Ohio landscaping rules overview

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