Auburn, AL Property Maintenance: Weeds & Overgrown Grass (2026)

Under the City of Auburn's property maintenance rules, 'premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 12 inches.' The ordinance defines weeds as 'all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs,' with an explicit exception for 'cultivated flowers and gardens'; noxious weeds are prohibited. Auburn references its City Code Chapter 5 and Chapter 15 (Section 15-173) for these provisions, enforced by the Inspection Services Department. The 12-inch threshold aligns with Alabama Code Title 11, Chapter 67, which lets a municipal governing body declare a public nuisance where 'a growth of grass or weeds, other than ornamental plant growth, that exceeds 12 inches in height' exists, or where overgrowth harbors vermin, creates a fire hazard, or hides debris. Enforcement is complaint-driven and reportable through the Auburn FixIt app. A Codes Enforcement Officer verifies the overgrowth and issues a written notice giving the owner time to cut and remove the vegetation. If the owner fails to comply, the city is authorized to abate the overgrowth and dispose of the cuttings, and the cost of abatement becomes the owner's responsibility. Under the parallel state framework (Alabama Code 11-67-60 et seq.), unpaid abatement costs are assessed as a 'weed lien' against the property and collected in the same manner as property taxes through the county. Residents should note the 12-inch figure is the published weed/plant-growth standard; Auburn's general lawn-maintenance expectations are enforced through this nuisance and IPMC framework rather than a separate fixed mowing height.