Winston-Salem, NC Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 8 inches
- Civil penalty
- $165 or 10% of abatement cost
- Abatement crew rate
- $165 per crew-hour
- Acreage exemption
- Lots over 1 acre mostly exempt
- Chronic violator trigger
- 3 notices in one year
Summary
Winston-Salem caps grass and weeds at eight inches on residential and business lots citywide, with owners liable for civil penalties and lien-backed abatement costs if they don't cut it themselves.
It is hereby declared a nuisance to permit the growth of noxious vegetation on one's business or residential lot to a height greater than eight inches, or to permit the lot to serve as a breeding place for mosquitoes, as a refuge for rats and snakes, as a collecting place for trash and litter, or as a fire hazard. It shall also be the duty of the owner to cut and remove all noxious vegetation as often as necessary so as to comply with this subsection.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).
Full Breakdown
Winston-Salem Code § 62-2(c) makes it a nuisance to let noxious vegetation exceed eight inches on any residential or business lot, and puts the duty to cut it on the owner. The limit applies citywide except for lots over one acre and tree-covered or severe-slope parcels, which only need an 8-inch buffer along roads and neighboring structures. Property owners can register a formal natural landscape area with the city sustainability department to legally exceed eight inches. If a lot isn't mowed after notice, the assistant city manager for public works can send a crew to cut it and bill the owner $165 per crew-hour plus $100 per tractor-hour, backed by a lien on the property.
Violations & Fines
Civil penalty of $165 or 10% of abatement cost, whichever is greater; unpaid abatement costs (crew and tractor fees) become a lien on the property, collected like unpaid taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass grow in Winston-Salem before it's a violation?
Is there any way to legally grow tall grass or a meadow?
What happens if I don't cut it after getting a notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winston-Salem
How Winston-Salem compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Winston-Salem to another location·View the North Carolina landscaping rules overview
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