Salt Lake City, UT Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height
- 6 inches (15.2 cm)
- Enforcing agency
- Division of Building Services
- Notice period
- 10 days minimum
- Zero-tolerance species
- Puncturevine, poison ivy, bindweed
- Penalty class
- Class B misdemeanor
Summary
Salt Lake City caps weeds and grass at 6 inches on any real property, with noxious species like puncturevine and poison ivy removed regardless of height.
Weeds shall be maintained at a height of not more than six inches (6") (15.2 cm) at all times, and the cuttings shall be promptly cleared and removed from the premises. Low-growing puncturevine, poison ivy, and bindweed must be removed regardless of height.
B. Weeds which are eradicated by chemicals must be done so before their height exceeds six inches (6") (15.2 cm), or they must be cut at a level not exceeding six inches (6") (15.2 cm) in height.
C. Weeds which are rototilled or removed by the root must be buried under the soil or removed from the property.
D. The control of low growing weeds such as puncturevine, poison ivy, and bindweed must be implemented by eradication.
E. When, in the opinion of the inspector, the large size of the property makes the cutting of all weeds impractical, the inspector may, by written order, allow and limit the required cutting of weeds to a firebreak of not less than fifteen feet (15') (4.6 m) in width cut around the complete perimeter of the property and around any structures existing upon the property. (Ord. 55-18, 2018)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 9.16.040 sets a hard 6-inch (15.2 cm) ceiling on weed height citywide, and owners must clear cuttings promptly after mowing. Puncturevine, poison ivy and bindweed must be eradicated outright, not just trimmed. Owners must also clear weeds and noxious vegetation on the parking strip between their property line and the roadway. The Division of Building Services can order a firebreak cut instead of full clearing on oversized lots. Violations bring a written notice with at least 10 days to comply before the city abates and bills the owner.
Violations & Fines
Class B misdemeanor per § 9.16.110; city can cut the weeds itself and bill costs, or certify unpaid costs to the County Treasurer as a property tax lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass or weeds get before it's a violation in Salt Lake City?
Does the rule cover the strip between my property and the street?
What happens if I ignore a weed notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
How Salt Lake City compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Salt Lake City to another location·View the Utah landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle weed ordinances.