Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules (2026)

Top 25: Strictest Enforcement

Based on each city's weed and nuisance vegetation ordinance, including height limits, response timelines from complaint to citation, fine structures, and whether the city performs forced mowing at the owner's expense.

1. 1

   Albuquerque, NMHeavy RestrictionsListed weeds over 4 inches prohibited

   Under Albuquerque's Weed, Litter and Snow Removal Ordinance (Sec. 9-8-1 et seq.), it is unlawful to permit listed nuisance weeds to grow to a height or width of more than 4 inches. The owner must keep the property clear, including the area between the property line and the middle of the adjacent alley.

2. 2

   Allentown, PAHeavy Restrictions10 inches

   Allentown defines weeds broadly as rank vegetable growth (grass, ragweed, dandelion, brush, and similar vegetation) that emits unpleasant or noxious odors or pollen, conceals filthy deposits, or harbors mosquitoes, insects, or vermin. Under Chapter 393 (Neighborhood Improvement), property owners may not allow weeds to exceed 10 inches in height and have an affirmative duty to cut them; the City may abate after one annual notice.

3. 3

   Benton County, WAHeavy Restrictions

   Benton County makes noxious-weed control mandatory. Under state law and the Benton County Noxious Weed Control Board, owners must eradicate Class A weeds and control listed Class B and C species. This is a real, enforceable duty backed by abatement and liens.

4. 4

   Birmingham, ALHeavy RestrictionsOver 10 inches prohibited

   Birmingham Code section 11-8-8(c) makes it unlawful to let weeds, shrubs, grass or other vegetable growth on an uncultivated lot exceed ten inches, and Alabama Code section 11-67-60 lets any municipality declare overgrown grass or weeds a public nuisance and abate it. The city's Environmental Code Enforcement Division enforces both through Birmingham's Environmental Court.

5. 5

   Dublin, OHHeavy Restrictions8 inches

   Dublin declares noxious weeds and vegetation over 8 inches a public nuisance under Code Chapter 660. Property owners must cut and remove noxious weeds such as Canada thistle, poison hemlock, and giant hogweed.

6. 6

   Euclid, OHHeavy Restrictions8 inches max

   Euclid Codified Ordinances 660.04 declares noxious weeds and overgrown vegetation a nuisance. 8-inch height limit applies.

7. 7

   Fayetteville, NCHeavy RestrictionsNone specified in city code

   Fayetteville sets no numeric grass height. Overgrowth is enforced as a public health nuisance under Sections 22-16 and 14-35. Owners get 10 business days after notice, then face a $200 administrative fee, city-contracted cutting billed back, and a lien collected like delinquent taxes.

8. 8

   Fort Lauderdale, FLHeavy Restrictions6 inches (overgrowth = lawn/grass/weeds over 6 in.)

   Fort Lauderdale Code Section 18-3 defines 'overgrowth' as lawn, grass or weeds in excess of six (6) inches in height, and Section 18-12 declares any overgrowth of lawn, grass, weeds or foliage on a property a public nuisance the owner must abate.

9. 9

   Grove City, OHHeavy Restrictions8 inches

   Grove City prohibits noxious weeds and rank vegetation over 8 inches on any property under its nuisance code, enforced alongside ORC 731.51 which requires cities to destroy noxious weeds. Poison ivy, ragweed, and Canada thistle are specifically targeted.

10. 10

    Indianapolis, INHeavy Restrictions12 inches (weeds or grass)

    Under Revised Code Section 575-11 of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis and Marion County, it is unlawful for property owners and occupants to allow environmental public nuisances such as High Weeds and Grass (HWG) to exist; grass or weeds more than twelve inches tall are a violation.

11. 11

    Lakewood, OHHeavy Restrictions

    Lakewood Section 1775.01 lists 31 noxious weeds (Canada thistle, giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, poison hemlock and more) that owners must cut or destroy within forty-eight hours of notice.

12. 12

    Minneapolis, MNHeavy Restrictions

    Minneapolis enforces an 8-inch vegetation limit under Chapter 227 plus the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law (Statutes 18.76 to 18.91). Wild parsnip, Canada thistle, and other listed noxious weeds must be controlled.

13. 13

    Overland Park, KSHeavy RestrictionsEight inches

    The Weed and Vegetation Enforcement Act caps uncontrolled vegetation at eight inches. Owners get ten days from mailing of a certified notice to self-abate. The city then mows and assesses costs plus an administrative fee, collected as a special assessment on the property tax roll.

14. 14

    Parma, OHHeavy Restrictions8 inches

    Parma Codified Ordinances require residential property owners to keep grass and weeds cut below 8 inches. Exceeding this limit creates a public nuisance subject to city abatement. The Building Department and Division of Streets enforce through complaint-driven inspection.

15. 15

    Philadelphia, PAHeavy RestrictionsCity cuts weeds and charges cost to owner

    Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code Section PM-302.4 bars weeds or plant growth over 10 inches and prohibits all noxious weeds. After a Notice of Violation, an owner who fails to cut and destroy the weeds is subject to prosecution, and the City may enter the property, remove the weeds, and charge the cost to the owner.

16. 16

    Phoenix, AZHeavy Restrictions6 inches

    Phoenix City Code Sec. 39-7(D) bars weeds higher than six inches and tumbleweeds on any premises, and Sec. 31-10 requires owners to keep abutting sidewalks, alleys, and streets free of overgrown vegetation and weeds, with civil sanctions up to $2,500.

17. 17

    Provo, UTHeavy RestrictionsMisdemeanor + abatement costs billed/liened (7.02.060)

    Provo City Code Chapter 7.02 (Weed and Refuse Abatement) lets the City inspect for injurious and noxious weeds and serve written notice requiring the owner to remove them within at least 10 days. If the owner fails to comply, the City may abate the weeds itself and bill the owner, with unpaid costs collected through the courts or placed on the property tax notice. Utah Code Title 4, Chapter 17 makes uncontrolled noxious weeds a public nuisance statewide.

18. 18

    Redwood City, CAHeavy Restrictions

    Redwood City makes it unlawful for an owner or occupant of property fronting an improved street with cement sidewalks or curbs to allow grass, weeds, dirt, rubbish, or other obstructions to accumulate or grow in the walk area from curb to property line.

19. 19

    Shreveport, LAHeavy Restrictions12 inches

    Shreveport caps grass, weeds and wild growth at 12 inches on every occupied, vacant, residential and nonresidential property. Fines escalate from $150 to $350, and city abatement adds a $500 administrative charge secured by a lien on the property.

20. 20

    Whatcom County, WAHeavy Restrictions

    Whatcom County makes noxious-weed control mandatory. Under state law and the county Noxious Weed Control Board, owners must eradicate Class A weeds and control listed Class B and C species. This is a real, enforceable duty backed by abatement and liens.

21. 21

    Yakima County, WAHeavy Restrictions

    Yakima County makes noxious-weed control mandatory. Under state law and the county Noxious Weed Control Board, owners must eradicate Class A weeds and control listed Class B and C species. This is a real, enforceable duty backed by abatement and liens.

22. 22

    Los Angeles, CASignificant Restrictions$250 administrative fine

    Los Angeles treats overgrown weeds and grass as a public nuisance under LAMC § 58.02. Once the Bureau of Street Services issues notice, owners who don't clear the growth face a misdemeanor charge and escalating administrative fines, and the City can abate the property itself and bill the owner.

23. 23

    Modesto, CASignificant Restrictions12 inches

    Modesto prohibits allowing weeds, overgrown grass, or neglected vegetation visible from public rights-of-way. Lawns exceeding 12 inches in height and weed-infested or decayed plants constitute a codified nuisance under the Property Maintenance Code.

24. 24

    Naperville, ILSignificant Restrictions$100-$500 per offense

    Naperville declares jimson weed, burdock, ragweed, thistle, cockleburr and similar weeds a nuisance on any lot in the City, with narrow exceptions for designated natural landscape and preserve areas.

25. 25

    New York, NYSignificant Restrictions$200–$2,000 per violation

    New York City Health Code section 181.11 flatly bars any owner, occupant, or person in charge of a lot or premises from letting poison ivy, ragweed, or other poisonous or allergenic weeds grow there. The Health Department enforces it through OATH.

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