Syracuse, NY Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 27-72(f) states that all premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or grasses in excess of eight inches, and that all noxious weeds shall be prohibited. The following subsection, 27-72(g), reinforces the standard by requiring that heavy undergrowth and accumulations of plant growth noxious or detrimental to health be eliminated. Both provisions sit inside Article 7's general 'Open areas' maintenance requirements, so the eight-inch cap applies citywide to any premises, not just vacant land. When an inspector from the Division of Code Enforcement finds grass or weeds over the limit, the director issues a written notice under Section 27-114 describing the violation and giving 15 days to cut it, or a shorter period in an emergency, and the property owner may request a hearing before that deadline runs.

Enforcement is handled by the same Division of Code Enforcement that administers the rest of Chapter 27 under Section 27-111, and repeated inspections can be made under the general authority of Section 27-113 if a property keeps falling back into violation season after season.