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Sample City Weed Ordinance Prepared by-Prairie Restorations, Inc. Increasingly, cities are revising their municipal weed ordinances in order to accommodate people throughout the state that recognize the benefits of natural landscapes. Traditionally, city ordinances have mandated height restrictions for all grass and weeds within the community in order to shield the public from "nuisances"—to protect the public health and well-being. Unfortunately, these weed ordinances can be counter productive in that they promote constant mowing and watering, chemical application, and often contribute to erosion and water pollution. Such ordinances also infringe on the civil rights of those citizens by not allowing for natural landscapes—a safe and healthy alternative. Due to the recognized value of native landscapes, demand for such continues to rise. The need to develop a modern municipal weed ordinance that not only serves but also'stewards this trend becomes increasingly important. Clearly native plant communities established and maintained under minimum guidelines set forth by the municipality are not nuisances and in fact, serve to enhance public health. Because of this, many Minnesota cities have adopted revised weed ordinances that serve and promote native landscaping. The following document is intended as a model for communities that presently fail to make provision for natural landscapes in their municipal ordinances. 1. Intent and Purpose: It is the city's intent with this ordinance to protect its residents and the general public from unhealthy and unsightly properties that may adversely affect the health, safety, prosperity, and general welfare of the community. It is not the intent of the city to mandate uniformity in landscape, recognizing that there are many healthy and appropriate forms of landscape within a community. Furthermore no city official or employee shall act against any individual or property suspect of violating sections 2-3 of this ordinance without due process and accordance of the law. 2. Prohibition: Any lots or parcels of land consisting mostly of non-native grasses and herbaceous plants (including turf lawns) within the city shall be regularly cut to be kept under ten inches (10") in height and managed to check noxious weed growth. Untended, rank, and unmanaged growth of vegetation within the city which is visible from any public way, street, sidewalk or alley is declared to be a public nuisance and may be abated in accordance with the procedures set for in 4-5 of this ordinance. This prohibition shall not apply to: a) native landscapes, provided.they are in accordance with section 5 of this ordinance. b) existing non-noxious weeds and grass vegetation in wetland areas or within fifty feet of natural or altered wetland/riparian areas within the city c) non-noxious weed and.grass vegetation on agriculturally zoned land d) erosion control areas e) ornamental and vegetable gardens.