Rochester, MN Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Rochester City Code § 8-5-3 sets the operative limit inside Chapter 8-5, Tall Grass and Weeds: any private lot or the boulevard next to it becomes a public nuisance if it carries noxious weeds, or if unattended turf grass tops 12 inches in height across at least 200 square feet, per the "regularly cut" and "unattended turf grasses" definitions in § 8-5-2. The duty falls on the owner, who must stop the nuisance either by preventing noxious weeds from going to seed or by cutting the grass and hauling away the clippings, and clippings cannot be dumped somewhere they will kill other vegetation.

The city inspects properties visible from a public right-of-way under § 8-5-10 and, on finding a violation, issues an administrative citation under Chapter 1-2 or a mailed notice giving the owner 48 hours to cut the grass and remove the clippings; a refusal to accept, or claims of not seeing, the notice are not a defense. If the owner does not comply, § 8-5-11 lets parks and recreation staff enter the property to mow it themselves, but not earlier than four calendar days after the citation or notice issues, and § 8-5-12 bills the owner for the actual cost of the cutting plus inspection and administrative charges, collectible as a special assessment against the property if unpaid.

Chapter 8-5 exempts naturalistic or native landscaping approved under a natural landscape permit issued by the parks and recreation department under §§ 8-5-4 through 8-5-9, unattended turf on slopes steeper than 2:1, and native vegetation in public parks, but even a permitted natural landscape must keep any growth within 18 inches of a public street, walk, or alley cut to 12 inches or less.