Smyrna, TN Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 13-103 of the Smyrna Municipal Code sets the vegetation standard for the Town of Smyrna, Tennessee. Under division (1), it is unlawful for any owner or tenant of property containing less than five acres to fail to periodically cut grass, underbrush, or other vegetation commonly recognized as weeds. No owner or tenant is in violation until the vegetation reaches a height of one foot or more, so one foot is the trigger height.

Larger parcels follow division (2). Parcels of five acres or more that front a public street or roadway, or adjoin a developed area, must be cleared of weeds, tall grass, and other noxious vegetation within 50 feet of the property line adjoining the developed area and within 50 feet of the pavement edge of any adjoining street or roadway, out to and including the right-of-way to the pavement edge. Natural wooded areas containing trees four inches in diameter or larger are excluded, but the owner must still mow grass and noxious vegetation on the edge of the trees, including areas along adjoining developed areas or public rights-of-way. Division (3) adds that bushes, shrubs, hedges, and trees around a residence or building must be cut and trimmed so anyone can safely enter and leave by any door or window.

The Codes Enforcement and Inspection Division is the primary enforcer, and the Police Department is also authorized to enforce (division (4)). Under division (5), a violator can be cited to municipal court immediately, both owner and tenant can be cited, and nothing requires advance notice before a citation.

The town has a second route. Under division (7), where growth endangers public health, safety, or welfare, the division serves notice to remedy the condition within ten days (20 days for a carrier or utility), excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The notice is posted on the property and mailed, and the owner can ask for a hearing before the Town Manager within ten days of receiving it; requesting a hearing stays the cleanup. If the owner neither fixes the property nor requests a hearing, the division can do the work at the owner's expense, and the Town Attorney can secure payment, including through a lien. The property maintenance code's own weed section, Section 302.4, is deleted by Section 12-802(5) so Sections 13-103 and 13-104 control.