Stratford, CT Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Stratford Code Chapter 161, Article I (Antiblight Program, adopted 8-11-2008 by Ord. No. 08-04 and amended in its entirety 10-12-2010 by Ord. No. 10-26) is where the eight-inch figure lives. Under § 161-3, an owner of real property in the Town cannot cause or allow blighted premises to be created or to continue. The definition of blighted premises in § 161-2 includes exterior and areas exposed to public view that are not kept free from deterioration, and it spells out that the maintenance and appearance of grounds and yards must reflect the level of upkeep of surrounding premises. That includes, without limitation, grass that has been allowed to go to seed or grown to a height of more than eight inches, severely overgrown bushes and trees, dead trees, or any vegetation of any nature that encroaches on streets, sidewalks or any other part of the public domain.

Enforcement belongs to the Blight Enforcement Officer, a position within the Zoning Department. Under § 161-4, the officer receives complaints, inspects, and can impose a penalty of not more than $100 per violation for each day, with each day a separate offense. The notice of citation under § 161-5 must describe the conditions, state a definite number of days to remediate and state the penalties. The owner can contest before a Citation Hearing Officer by delivering written notice to the Citation Clerk within 10 days.

Chapter 214 covers pollen-bearing plants. Section 214-1 makes owners and occupiers of land in the thickly populated parts of the Town responsible for removing obnoxious weeds, defined in § 214-2 to include ragweed, goldenrod, wild timothy and any other pollen-bearing plant. The Mayor can order removal by written notice, and the Town can cut the weeds itself and add the expense to the owner's next tax bill.