Sioux Falls, SD Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from all actively growing plants declared to be statewide noxious weeds by the state weed and pest control commission, all actively growing weeds declared by the county to be locally noxious, and all other non-woody plants growing in the city to a greater height than 8 inches. All such plants are dangerous and unhealthful, are hereby declared to be a nuisance, and are prohibited. Vegetation shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and weeds, other than trees or shrubs. The 8-inch restriction on non-woody plants does not apply to cultivated flowers and fruit and vegetable gardens, vegetation being grown as a crop, livestock pastures, wildflower display gardens, rights-of-way of rural section roads, vegetation designated by the director of Sioux Falls parks and recreation as a natural area or native planting area, or unimproved developments, except for a 25-foot mowed buffer adjacent to the right-of-way and except for a 12-foot buffer from an occupied property. 302.4.1 Duty to correct. The occupant, person in charge, or owner of any lot or parcel of land in the city shall keep such lot, to include any abutting city right-of-way except as provided herein, free of such nuisance vegetation by cutting, spraying, or removal, as may be appropriate. The code official has the authority to require compliance with this article on all property. The code official shall cause public notice to be given