Cities with the Strictest Lawn Mowing Rules (2026)

Top 25: Strictest Enforcement

Rankings are based on each city's grass and weed ordinance, including maximum allowed height (typically 6 to 12 inches), fine amounts for first and repeat violations, enforcement response time, and whether the city performs abatement at the owner's expense.

1. 1

   Dallas, TXHeavy Restrictions12 inches

   Dallas Code Section 18-13 prohibits allowing weeds or grass to exceed 12 inches on any occupied or unoccupied premises. The city may mow at the owner's expense and lien the property if the violation is not corrected.

2. 2

   Corpus Christi, TXHeavy Restrictions12 inches for grass and weeds

   Corpus Christi requires all lots to keep grass and weeds under 12 inches. Code compliance officers actively enforce this standard and violations can result in Municipal Court citations.

3. 3

   Alameda County, CAHeavy Restrictions12 inches

   Alameda County requires weeds and grass to be kept below 12 inches in urbanized areas, with stricter 4-inch limits in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones under PRC 4291 defensible space rules.

4. 4

   Keller, TXHeavy Restrictions

   Keller limits grass, weeds, and rank vegetation to 12 inches on all lots including the parkway strip. Code Enforcement uses a 10-day notice before abatement. Unpaid mowing costs attach as a lien.

5. 5

   Bellaire, TXHeavy Restrictions12 inches

   Bellaire requires residential property owners to maintain grass and vegetation below 12 inches. Properties with overgrown grass receive code enforcement notices and the city may mow the property and charge the cost to the owner if violations are not corrected.

6. 6

   Irving, TXHeavy Restrictions10 inches

   Irving Code Enforcement limits grass and weed height to 10 inches. Property owners must prevent growth from encroaching over sidewalks, driveways, curbs, and street pavement.

7. 7

   Coral Gables, FLHeavy RestrictionsApproximately 10 inches

   Coral Gables enforces strict property maintenance standards as part of its City Beautiful identity. Overgrown grass and unmaintained lawns are among the most common code enforcement violations. Property owners must maintain lawns at a reasonable height and keep all landscaped areas free of dead vegetation and debris.

8. 8

   La Porte, TXHeavy Restrictions12 inches

   La Porte limits grass and vegetation height to 12 inches on all residential and commercial properties. Overgrown properties are subject to code enforcement action, and the city may mow the property and assess the cost to the owner.

9. 9

   Oak Park, ILHeavy Restrictions8 inches

   Oak Park limits grass and vegetation height to 8 inches on residential property. The Village actively enforces grass height violations and will mow non-compliant properties at the owner's expense if not corrected within the notice period.

10. 10

    Richardson, TXHeavy Restrictions12 inches

    Richardson Code Chapter 14 requires residents to maintain grass and weeds below 12 inches on their property, including adjacent parkways and alley easements. Violations are subject to city abatement with costs charged to the owner.

11. 11

    Lakewood, OHHeavy Restrictions8 inches

    Lakewood limits grass and weeds to a maximum height of 8 inches under Codified Ordinance 1379. The Division of Housing and Building issues violation notices giving property owners 7 to 10 days to cut. If uncorrected, the city hires a contractor to mow and assesses the cost plus administrative fees as a lien against the property tax bill.

12. 12

    Universal City, TXHeavy Restrictions12 inches

    Universal City requires property owners to keep grass and weeds cut to no taller than 12 inches under its nuisance ordinance, with 7 to 10 day notice before city abatement and lien.

13. 13

    Garland, TXHeavy Restrictions

    Garland requires property owners to keep grass and weeds under 12 inches; taller vegetation is declared a nuisance and the city may abate at the owner's expense after notice.

14. 14

    Milwaukee, WIHeavy Restrictions8 inches

    Milwaukee caps grass and weeds at 8 inches under Chapter 80. The Department of Neighborhood Services issues 10-day notices before abating overgrown properties at owner expense.

15. 15

    Tomball, TXHeavy Restrictions12 inches for grass and weeds

    Tomball requires property owners to keep grass and weeds below 12 inches under Chapter 34 (Health and Sanitation) of the city code. The city enforces this through its code enforcement division and may mow properties at the owner's expense if violations are not corrected within the notice period. Repeat violations can result in liens placed on the property.

16. 16

    Riverside County, CAHeavy Restrictions

    Riverside County Ordinance 695 requires property owners to abate weeds, dry grass, and combustible vegetation that create a fire hazard. Abatement notices typically require grass and weeds to be mowed to 3-4 inches or less by a published deadline each spring (usually May 1). Non-compliance leads to county-contracted abatement with cost liens.

17. 17

    Deer Park, TXHeavy Restrictions12 inches for grass and weeds

    Deer Park enforces grass height limits through Chapter 34 (Health and Sanitation) and its property maintenance standards. Grass, weeds, and vegetation on residential and commercial property may not exceed 12 inches in height. The city may abate violations by mowing at the owner's expense and placing a lien on the property if costs are not paid.

18. 18

    Mesquite, TXHeavy Restrictions

    Mesquite requires grass and weeds on residential and commercial properties to be kept under 12 inches; violations result in citations and city mowing at owner expense.

19. 19

    Livonia, MIHeavy Restrictions8 inches

    Livonia requires residential and commercial property owners to keep grass and weeds under 8 inches. Violations trigger city abatement and cost recovery through a tax lien.

20. 20

    DeSoto, TXHeavy Restrictions

    DeSoto requires property owners to maintain grass and weeds on residential and commercial lots at or below 12 inches in height. Taller vegetation creates nuisance, harbors pests, and is a code violati

21. 21

    Berkeley, CAHeavy Restrictions4 inches (fire season)

    Berkeley requires grass and weeds be kept under 6 inches (4 inches in the VHFHSZ fire zone). Tall, dry vegetation is a code violation and fire hazard subject to abatement.

22. 22

    Santa Clara County, CAHeavy Restrictions4 inches in fire zones

    Santa Clara County weed abatement program requires unmaintained grass and weeds to be cut to 4 inches or less in fire hazard areas. The County Fire Marshal enforces annual abatement, typically with a May deadline.

23. 23

    Norfolk, VAHeavy Restrictions12 inches

    Norfolk limits grass and weeds to 12 inches maximum on residential and commercial lots under City Code Chapter 27 (Weeds, Grass and Refuse). Violations trigger notice, abatement, and property liens.

24. 24

    Frisco, TXHeavy Restrictions12 inches

    Frisco Code Chapter 38 prohibits grass, weeds, or vegetation exceeding 12 inches on developed residential lots. Violations trigger abatement and property liens.

25. 25

    Mission Viejo, CAHeavy Restrictions$100 administrative citation

    Mission Viejo enforces strict property maintenance standards requiring homeowners to keep lawns and vegetation neatly trimmed. Overgrown grass, weeds, or unkempt landscaping is considered a nuisance under the municipal code and subject to code enforcement action.

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How each state leans overall, based on the cities and counties we have data for in that state.

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