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Portland, OR Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

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

Key Facts

Max height
10 inches, prevailing height
Governing section
PCC § 29.20.010(F)
Enforcement
Summary abatement by City Administrator
Legal status
Classified as a nuisance

Summary

Portland requires property owners to cut grass and weeds in lawn areas whenever they exceed a prevailing height of 10 inches, treating overgrowth as a public nuisance under the city's property maintenance code.

Cut and remove and keep cut and removed all weeds and grass that are located in lawn areas and have a prevailing height of more than 10 inches.

G. Nuisance plants. Eradication, as defined in Subsection 29.10.020 V., is required of all plants identified on the Nuisance Plants List. The City Administrator will adopt administrative rules detailing implementation and enforcement of this provision.

H. Trash and debris. Remove, and keep removed, unless specifically authorized by ordinance to do otherwise:

1. All garbage, offal, dead animals, animal and human waste, and waste materials (All garbage must be stored as specified in Section 29.30.140);

2. Accumulations of litter, glass, scrap materials (such as wood, metal, paper, and plastics), junk, combustible materials, stagnant water, or trash;

3. All dead bushes, dead trees, and stumps with the exception of such material that:

a. Is being maintained as part of a naturescaped property;

b. Does not result in a nuisance as otherwise defined in this chapter; and

c. Is located on a property that is otherwise substantially in compliance with this Chapter;

4. All trees that are dead, dying or dangerous and are determined by the City Forester or a private certified arborist to require removal in order to safeguard people or property per the provisions in Portland City Code Title 11;

Source: PCC 29.30 — Tall Grass and Weed AbatementView official code

Full Breakdown

Portland City Code § 29.20.010(F) makes it the property owner's duty to cut and remove weeds and grass in lawn areas whenever they reach a prevailing height of more than 10 inches, and to keep them cut. This sits inside the city's outdoor maintenance nuisance chapter, alongside rules on trash, thickets, and rat harborage. Section 29.20.030 declares any violation of Section 29.20.010 a nuisance: an owner who fails to correct overgrowth is subject to charges under the City Council's adopted Fee Schedule, and the City Administrator can order summary abatement when immediate action is needed.

Violations & Fines

Uncorrected overgrowth is a nuisance under § 29.20.030: the City Administrator can order summary abatement (city-ordered mowing, billed to the owner) plus charges under the Council's adopted Fee Schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can grass get before it's a violation in Portland?
Portland caps lawn grass and weeds at a prevailing height of 10 inches; once it exceeds that, the owner must cut it under City Code § 29.20.010(F).
What happens if I don't cut overgrown grass?
The City Administrator can summarily abate it (mow and bill the owner) and impose charges under the City Council's Fee Schedule per § 29.20.030.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Portland

All Portland rules

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

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