Pierce County Code Chapter 8.08 sets no numeric grass-height limit for unincorporated properties; overgrown vegetation is addressed only where it creates a public nuisance under PCC 8.08.040 or a fire, sight-distance or drainage hazard. Noxious weeds are separately controlled by the Pierce County Noxious Weed Control Board under RCW 17.10.
Unlike many city codes, Pierce County's nuisance chapter has no set lawn-height threshold. Vegetation becomes actionable only when it meets the general public-nuisance definition in PCC 8.08.040 - a condition that unreasonably annoys, injures or endangers others or renders them insecure in the use of property - or when it violates fire, stormwater or roadside sight-distance standards under other titles referenced in PCC 8.08.050(L). State-listed noxious weeds (such as tansy ragwort, Scotch broom and knotweed) are enforced separately by the Pierce County Noxious Weed Control Board under Chapter 17.10 RCW, which can require landowners to control designated weeds. Routine tall grass alone is generally not a county code violation in unincorporated areas.
There is no per-inch grass fine. Noxious-weed non-compliance can lead to a control order and county cost-recovery under RCW 17.10; vegetation that creates a genuine nuisance or hazard is abatable through PCC 8.08 code enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Backyard residential composting is allowed and encouraged in Pierce County with no permit, but a compost pile that creates odor, attracts vermin, or otherwis...
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Pierce County has no ordinance specifically prohibiting or permitting synthetic/artificial turf on residential lots. Installation must still meet general zon...
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Pierce County encourages native and drought-tolerant plantings and requires native-vegetation retention on many development sites, but homeowners are free to...
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Rooftop rainwater collection is broadly allowed in Washington, and Pierce County has no ordinance prohibiting residential rain barrels or cisterns; larger sy...
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Pierce County government sets no county-wide residential watering schedule; outdoor watering rules are set by your water provider — mainly Tacoma Water and l...
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Every Pierce County landowner has an enforceable duty under RCW 17.10.140 to eradicate class A noxious weeds and control listed class B and C weeds. The Pier...
See how Pierce County's weeds & overgrown grass rules stack up against other locations.
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