Akron, OH Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height
- 8 inches (grass, unmaintained plants)
- Inspection season
- April 1 to first killing frost
- Cure period
- 5 days after notice
- 1st/2nd cut fee
- $200 administrative charge
- 3rd+ cut
- $250 fine plus cost
- Enforced by
- Dept. of Neighborhood Assistance
- Citation
- Akron City Code § 94.29
Summary
Akron caps grass and unmaintained plants at eight inches on any land in the city, including vacant lots, under City Code § 94.29. Inspections run every growing season from April 1 through the first killing frost, and owners who ignore a five-day cutting notice face City mowing crews, a lien on the property, and administrative fines that climb with repeat violations.
B.No person who is the owner of and/or in control of or responsible for land within the City shall permit to grow on such land any plants that are noxious weeds. Nor shall a person who is the owner of and/or in control of or responsible for land within the City permit to grow on such land unmaintained plants and/or grasses exceeding eight inches in height. Inspection shall occur during the growing season, beginning not later than April 1st of each year, and concluding no earlier than the first killing frost.C.On information that noxious weeds and/or other unmaintained plants are growing on land within the City, notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the subject property and served by personal service to both an occupant of the property and the owner of the property... notifying the owner, lessee, agent, tenant, or other person having charge of the subject property that such noxious weeds or unmaintained plants must be cut and/or destroyed within five days after posting of such notice.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64).
Full Breakdown
29 of Akron's general code defines 'noxious weeds' by cross-reference to Ohio Administrative Code § 901:5-37-01, plus poison ivy and poison oak by name, and separately bans 'unmaintained plants' or turf grass over eight inches tall on any land an owner controls in the city, vacant or not. The City inspects during the growing season, starting no later than April 1 and running through the first killing frost. When a violation is found, the City posts notice on the property and serves the owner and an occupant, by personal service or by mail to the tax-bill address; the weeds or grass must be cut within five days of whichever service method happens first.
31 or keeps the lot compliant for 120 straight days in a growing season. 32: the City bills the cost plus a two-hundred-dollar administrative charge for the first and second cut in a calendar year, and adds a two-hundred-fifty-dollar fine on top of the cost and charge for a third or later cut that year. Unpaid bills convert to a lien certified to the Summit County Auditor and collected with the owner's property taxes. 29's growth limits.
Violations & Fines
Missing the five-day cutting deadline after notice triggers City abatement at the owner's cost under § 94.32, plus a two-hundred-dollar administrative charge for a first or second violation in a calendar year and a two-hundred-fifty-dollar fine added on top for a third or later violation that year. Unpaid amounts become a lien on the county tax duplicate, collected like other property taxes. Because a property lands on the 'master mowing list' after just one notice, every later growing season with grass over eight inches counts toward that escalating penalty schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Akron's weed law apply to vacant, unoccupied lots?
How much time do I get to cut an overgrown lot after Akron notifies me?
What does it cost if the City has to mow my lot?
Can I appeal a weed-cutting notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Akron
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