Woodbury, MN Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Woodbury does not advertise a separate vacant-lot ordinance; instead, vacant and undeveloped parcels are subject to the city's general nuisance and property-maintenance standards under Chapter 15 of the City Code and the adopted property-maintenance code. The most consequential standards for open land are the lawn-height limit and the weed and debris rules. The city's Lawn Care Guide states that City code mandates that all grass, including bee lawns, must not exceed eight inches in height, measured from the ground to the tallest point of any stalk, stem, blade, or leaf. Noxious weeds, as defined by Minnesota statute, must be controlled or eradicated. Properties (including vacant ones) must be kept free of refuse and waste, with all debris, refuse, recycling, yard waste, or garbage properly contained. Importantly, gardens and areas planted with native vegetation, or designed to reduce lawn watering, are exempt from the eight-inch height requirement, provided that weeds remain only a minor portion of the overall vegetation; the city encourages fescue lawns, bee lawns, and native plantings and offers help through the Washington Conservation District. Owners of vacant lots remain responsible for mowing, weed control, and keeping the parcel free of dumped material. Enforcement follows the standard complaint-driven correction-notice process, and the city may pursue abatement of overgrown or refuse-laden land through its nuisance authority.