Minnesota Statewide Rule

Minnesota Noxious Weed Law: Statewide Landowner Duty

Heavy RestrictionsApplies statewide across Minnesota (2026)

Minnesota's Noxious Weed Law requires every landowner, occupant, or maintainer of public land to control state-listed noxious weeds at the time and manner ordered by a county inspector, regardless of city ordinance.

Key Facts

Authority: Minn. Stat. ch. 18
Enforcement: County weed inspector
Cost recovery: Special assessment lien
Plan option: 3-year management plan
Applies to: All landowners statewide

Source: Minnesota Noxious Weed Law: Statewide Landowner Duty

Full Breakdown

Minnesota Statutes Chapter 18, sections 18.77-18.91, establish a uniform statewide noxious weed control program administered by the Department of Agriculture and enforced by appointed county or municipal inspectors. The Commissioner publishes a state Noxious Weed List with categories (Prohibited Eradicate, Prohibited Control, Restricted, Specially Regulated). Owners must control listed species or face enforcement notices. Landowners may negotiate a mutually agreed weed management plan up to three years. Municipalities cannot exempt residents from the underlying statutory duty, although cities may adopt supplemental local lists.

Violations & Penalties

Failure to comply with an inspector's control order allows the county or municipality to enter the property, perform control work, and assess costs against the owner as a special tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my city exempt me from noxious weed control?

No. The duty to control state-listed noxious weeds is imposed directly by Minnesota Statutes section 18.78 and applies to every landowner regardless of municipal rules.

What happens if I ignore a weed control notice?

The county or municipal inspector may enter the property, perform the control work, and bill the cost back to the owner as a special assessment collected with property taxes.

Where is the official Minnesota noxious weed list?

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture maintains the official list under section 18.79, updated periodically by Commissioner order with categories Prohibited Eradicate, Prohibited Control, Restricted, and Specially Regulated.

Sources

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Full Breakdown

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my city exempt me from noxious weed control?

No. The duty to control state-listed noxious weeds is imposed directly by Minnesota Statutes section 18.78 and applies to every landowner regardless of municipal rules.

What happens if I ignore a weed control notice?

The county or municipal inspector may enter the property, perform the control work, and bill the cost back to the owner as a special assessment collected with property taxes.

Where is the official Minnesota noxious weed list?