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Reno, NV Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

Verified 1 month ago|Source: Nevada Noxious Weed List →

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Key Facts

Noxious Categories: A, B, C under NRS 555
High Risk Local: Cheatgrass, tumbleweed
Notice: 10 days to abate
Abatement Fee: Cost plus 250 dollars
ID Help: UNR Cooperative Extension

Summary

Reno classifies noxious weeds and tall dry vegetation as public nuisances under RMC 8.12. Cheatgrass, tumbleweeds, and state-listed noxious weeds must be removed. Nevada Department of Agriculture enforces NRS 555 noxious weed statutes.

Nevada Noxious Weed List — The following lists the Nevada Noxious Weeds in alphabetical order by the species common name. African rue (Peganum harmala); Austrian fieldcress (Rorippa austriaca); Austrian peaweed (Sphaerophysa salsula); Barbed goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis); Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger); Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare); Camelthorn (Alhagi maurorum); Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense); Common crupina (Crupina vulgaris); Curly leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus); Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica); Desert Knapweed (Volutaria tubuliflora); Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa); Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria); Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum); Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus); Giant reed (Arundo donax); Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta); Goatsrue (Galega officinalis); Green fountaingrass (Pennisetum setaceum); Hoary cress (Cardaria draba); Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense); Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale); Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata); Iberian starthisle (Centaurea iberica); Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense); Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica); Klamath weed (Hypericum perforatum); Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula); Malta starthistle (Centaurea melitensis); Mayweed chamomile (Anthemis cotula); Mediterranean sage (Salvia aethiopis); Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae); Musk thistle (carduus nutans); Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium); Perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis); Poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum); Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris); Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria); Purple starthistle (Centaurea calcitrapa); Rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea); Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens); Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii); Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.); Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium); Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaegnifolium); Spotted knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii); Squarrose knapweed (Centaurea virgata var. squarrosa); Sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta); Syrian beancaper (Zygophyllum fabago); Ventenata (Ventenata dubia); Waterhemlock (Cicuta spp.); Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solsitialis); Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris).

Source: Nevada Noxious Weed ListVerified: May 26, 2026View official code

Full Breakdown

Nevada maintains a Noxious Weed List (Category A, B, C) under NRS 555.130 with species like medusahead, yellow starthistle, and scotch thistle requiring control. At the local level, Reno targets cheatgrass and tumbleweeds because of extreme fire risk in the Great Basin. Abatement notices give owners 10 days to cut and remove before city crews are dispatched. Vacant and undeveloped lots are a primary enforcement focus before fire season. The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension provides free weed identification.

Violations & Fines

Notice: 10 days. City abatement with cost recovery plus 250 dollar admin fee. Category A noxious weeds: additional state penalties up to 500 dollars per NRS 555.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is cheatgrass such a problem?

Cheatgrass dries by June and carries fire rapidly across rangeland. It is not a listed noxious weed but is targeted under local nuisance and fire codes.

Who do I report weeds to?

Reno Direct (311 or RenoDirect.org) for local enforcement; Nevada Department of Agriculture for noxious weed infestations on large parcels.

Sources & Official References

[1]Nevada Noxious Weed List

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Reno, NV Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Nevada Department of Agriculture — Nevada Noxious Weed List

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official References

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