St. George, UT Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- City Code § 4-2-3(F)
- Penalty
- Class B misdemeanor
- Notice to abate
- 10 days to fix
- Enforcement
- Police, fire, animal control officer
- Cost recovery
- City can lien property, 10% interest
Summary
St. George prohibits maintaining any condition that unreasonably promotes rat or vermin breeding on your property, treating it as a citywide nuisance the city can order abated within ten days.
It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain a condition within the city which unreasonably promotes or encourages the breeding of flies, mosquitoes, rats or other form of animal life which may be disease carriers or which otherwise constitutes a nuisance, as designated in section 4-2-1 of this chapter.
G. Barking Dogs: It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any dog which by barking, howling or yelping, or by any other action, constitutes a nuisance within the designation of section 4-2-1 of this chapter.
H. Noises: It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued, any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise, or any noise which annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others, within the limits of the city. The following acts when prolonged, unusual and unnatural in their time, place and use, may be a detriment to the public health, comfort, convenience, safety, welfare and prosperity: horns, radios, stereos, loudspeakers, yelling or shouting, exhausts, motor vehicles, drums or musical instruments, construction equipment, airplanes or blasting. (Ord. 3-19-1981)
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
St. George City Code § 4-2-3(F) makes it unlawful to maintain any condition that unreasonably promotes or encourages breeding of flies, mosquitoes, rats, or other disease-carrying animal life anywhere in the city. The police chief, fire chief, and animal control officer can enter property to inspect for the condition under § 4-2-4. Under § 4-2-5 the city serves a written notice to abate within ten days; if the owner refuses, the city abates the nuisance itself and bills the cost plus 10% annual interest as a lien on the property. Violation is a class B misdemeanor under § 4-2-6.
Violations & Fines
Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine and up to six months in jail under Utah Code § 76-3-301; unpaid abatement costs plus 10% annual interest become a lien against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply only to rentals?
What happens if I ignore the abatement notice?
Does overgrown grass count?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
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