It is a violation to let grass and weeds grow taller than 12 inches on any premises or lot you own within the City of Madison. Code Enforcement handles overgrowth complaints.
Madison caps lawn and weed height at 12 inches. The rule applies to any premises or lot owned by a person within the city, so it covers occupied homes, rentals, and vacant lots alike. Complaints go to Code Enforcement, whose officers first work with the owner to cut the growth. Yard debris and clippings from mowing are handled through the city's weekly trash (yard-debris) collection by Republic Services, but note that commercial or professional lawn services must dispose of the waste they generate and cannot set it out for city collection. Keeping the lawn under 12 inches and the property clear of debris keeps owners compliant.
Grass or weeds over 12 inches is a code violation; unresolved cases can lead to city abatement (mowing), the cost billed to the owner, and municipal fines.
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