In Durham, dense weeds, grass, vines, or briars over 12 inches tall within 100 feet of a public street or 50 feet of a building are a public nuisance. You must cut them to no more than six inches.
Durham City Code Sec. 26-183(2) sets the concrete threshold: a dense growth of weeds, grass, vines, or briars over 12 inches high, located within 100 feet of an abutting public street or 50 feet of a house or other residential, commercial, or industrial building, is a prohibited condition when it constitutes a nuisance under Art. VI. Detached accessory structures don't trigger the 50-foot measure. Once cited, the growth must be cleared and cut to not more than six inches in height. The housing code administrator mails and posts notice giving 10 days (extendable 10 more) to comply before the City mows and liens the cost.
Civil penalty $100 first day then $10/day; if not corrected in 10 days the City mows and recovers abatement cost plus 8% interest as a lien collected like unpaid property taxes.
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See how Durham County's weeds & overgrown grass rules stack up against other locations.
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