Salt Lake City, UT Property Maintenance: Weeds & Overgrown Grass (2026)

Weed and vegetation control in unincorporated Salt Lake County is enforced through County ordinance along with the Utah Noxious Weed Act codified at Utah Code Title 4 Chapter 17. Developed residential properties must be maintained so that weeds, grass, and other uncultivated vegetation do not exceed 12 inches in height. Ornamental landscaping, food gardens, native plant installations, and certified water-wise designs are exempt from the height rule, consistent with Utah SB 109 of 2022 which protects water-wise landscaping. Property owners are responsible for the full lot and any adjacent park strip or unimproved right-of-way between the curb and sidewalk. Noxious weeds designated by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and the Salt Lake County Weed Control program, including musk thistle, Scotch thistle, dyers woad, puncturevine, field bindweed, and purple loosestrife, must be controlled regardless of height to prevent seed set and spread. Enforcement is complaint-driven through Salt Lake County Code Enforcement or the County Weed Control Program. Inspectors issue a written notice and order to abate giving the owner 10 days to cut weeds or apply approved herbicide. Noncompliance triggers County contractor abatement with the cost, plus administrative fees, charged to the owner and filed as a property tax lien if unpaid. Repeat offenders can face civil penalties in addition to abatement costs. Vacant lots and agricultural properties have separate standards administered under state weed law.