Plymouth, MN Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- Turf grass capped at 8 inches
- Noxious weeds
- Prohibited outright
- Exceptions
- Section 811 native landscapes; FRD-zoned land
- Notice method
- Mail or posted notice with cure deadline
- Hardship exemption
- Slopes steeper than 3:1 or standing water
- Appeal
- 10 days to City Council after Director's decision
Summary
In the City of Plymouth, turf grass may not grow taller than eight inches, and noxious weeds designated by the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture are prohibited outright. Property owners are responsible for eradicating and trimming both, and the rule reaches abutting boulevards and adjoining trail or sidewalk outlots, not just the lot itself.
Except where native landscapes are allowed under Section 811 of this Chapter and except on property zoned FRD (future restricted development), the length of turf grass may not exceed eight inches. ... Noxious weeds are prohibited. Property owners are responsible for eradication, removal, trimming, and/or maintenance of noxious weeds and tall turf grass on their property, as defined in this Section.
Full Breakdown
03 caps turf grass length at eight inches citywide, with two exceptions: land where a native landscape is allowed under Section 811 and property zoned FRD (future restricted development). 77, Subdivision 8, and places the duty to eradicate, remove, trim, or otherwise maintain both noxious weeds and tall turf grass on the property owner. 'Property' is defined broadly to include the lot itself plus any directly abutting boulevard, and any abutting trail or sidewalk outlot out to the near edge of the roadway or the next property.
05 requires the City to notify the owner by first-class mail or by posting a notice on the property describing the violation, how to fix it, and a correction deadline. 06 lets the City issue a citation. 07 exempts a property from the height limit if a hardship beyond the owner's control, defined as a slope steeper than 3:1 or standing water, makes it unsafe to mow, subject to review by the Park and Recreation Director and a ten-day appeal window to the City Council.
Violations & Fines
The City enforces the height and weed limits through injunction, an abatement action, or another appropriate civil remedy under Section 807.10, following the notice-and-cure process in Sections 807.05 and 807.06; an owner who ignores a correction notice can be issued a citation. Separately, obstructing a City inspector, including a Community Service Officer, during an inspection is a petty misdemeanor under Section 807.09.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I let my lawn grow in Plymouth before it's a violation?
Does the eight-inch limit apply to the boulevard strip by the street?
Can I get out of mowing a steep or wet part of my yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plymouth
How Plymouth compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Plymouth to another location·View the Minnesota landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hennepin County handle weed ordinances.