Weed and Property Maintenance Ordinances

Guide to Passing Wildlife-Friendly Property Maintenance Ordinances

2021
Organizations/Sources: National Wildlife Federation
A guide for local government leaders, homeowners' associations, and others who want to promote the expansion of wildlife-friendly habitats in their communities. It provides case studies of cities that revised their property maintenance ordinances to incentivize homeowners and other landowners to transform their land into wildlife habitats. This guide also provides model ordinances and policies. Lead author: Samantha R. Miller.
Last Modified
Oct 06, 2022
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1519 times

Salisbury Maryland Ordinance to Amend Brush, Weed, and Obnoxious Growth Ordinance.

2021
An ordinance of the city of Salisbury to amend chapter 8.08 Brush, Weeds, and Obnoxious Growth to include the definition and requirements of meadow cultivation and to allow for the cultivation of meadows in the city of Salisbury, Maryland.
Last Modified
Oct 06, 2022
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694 times

Township of Cheltenham Ordinance No. 1824-95 (Nuisances)

1995
Example of a Pennsylvania municipal nuisance ordinance that makes some accommodation for creating meadow in a yard (rather than the typical ordinance that simply outlaws lawn alternatives). Its 50' setback from street and 25' setback from structures, however, can make its utility quite limited for smaller lots. (See section 188-2. Vegetation subsection 1-a for exceptions for meadows and naturalized areas.)
Last Modified
Oct 06, 2022
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739 times

Township of Ferguson Ordinance 99 (Part 1: Turf Grass, Weeds, and Other Vegetation)

2021
Ferguson's ordinance allows for managed natural landscape areas on properties if they are registered with the township, receive approval from the Township Arborist of a maintenance plan for the area, and meet other conditions including the destruction of noxious weeds. The ordinance as posted had been updated through December 2021.
Last Modified
Oct 06, 2022
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848 times

Township of Springfield Ordinance No. 2020-01 (Brush, Grass, and Weeds)

2020
Example of a Pennsylvania municipal ordinance that makes some accommodation for creating meadow in a yard (rather than the typical weed ordinance that simply outlaws lawn alternatives). See paragraph 167.2: Definitions and word usage for description of meadow, and exceptions contained in paragraph 167.4: Removal and/or cutting required.
Last Modified
Oct 06, 2022
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576 times

York County Sustainable Landscaping Model Ordinance

2014
Authors: Mary Kline
Organizations/Sources: York County Planning Commission
The model landscaping regulations provided by the model, if adopted by municipalities, can help conserve and restore healthy soils, reduce the use of irrigation for landscapes, improve the quality of surface waters, reduce energy consumption, provide wildlife habitat, and protect and restore native plant communities. They can also assist in cleaning up impaired waters in both MS4 and non-MS4 municipalities.
Last Modified
Oct 06, 2022
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5162 times