Weeds and Other Nuisance Vegetation
This page provides an overview of local weed control and vegetation regulations in Washington State, including sample ordinances and related resources.
It is part of MRSC's series on Nuisances: Regulation and Abatement.
The need to regulate the growth of uncontrolled weeds and other vegetation includes: the prevention of serious fire hazards, the removal of obstructions that interfere with streets and sidewalks, the prevention of noxious weed infestation, and neighborhood preservation. Weeds tend to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants such as desired crops, flower gardens and groundcover, and may become detrimental to public health.
Regulation of unkempt lots and property containing overgrown weeds, debris, and litter is generally accomplished through enforcement of nuisance ordinances. Cities and towns have general authority to address vegetation issues through general nuisance statutes and specific statutes. Counties have specific statutes authorizing weed control districts.
There are statutory provisions in RCW 35.21.310 for any city or town to enact a general ordinance requiring the owner of a property to remove or destroy grass, weed, shrubs, bushes or trees which are growing or have died and are a fire hazard or a menace to public health, safety or welfare. Noxious weeds are addressed in Ch. 17.10 RCW - Noxious Weeds - Control Boards. A noxious weed is defined as a plant that when established is highly destructive, competitive, or difficult to control by cultural or chemical practices. A Washington state noxious weed list appears in Ch. 16-750 WAC and on the Noxious Weed Control Board's website. An additional reference source for noxious weeds is the Noxious Weeds in the U.S. and Canada Database maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Some local jurisdictions have broadened the definition of weed to include both the state list of noxious weeds and other weeds that are commonly considered a nuisance. See examples of definitions in the selected ordinances in this page.
The Washington State Weed Control Board website has links to helpful resources on the topic. Information on Cooperative Weed Management Areas can be found at the Department of Agriculture. Information on eradicating weeds can also be obtained from Agricultural Extension Offices around the state.
Statutes and Regulations
- RCW 35.21.310 - Any city or town may create an ordinance requiring property owners to remove overhanging or obstructive vegetation.
- Ch. 17.04 RCW - Authorizes creation of county weed districts and outlines regulations relating to such districts. Most weed districts have been replaced by county noxious weed control boards.
- Ch. 17.06 RCW - Authorizes creation of intercounty weed districts
- Ch. 17.10 RCW - Authorizes creation of noxious weed control boards and outlines regulations relating to such districts.
- Ch. 16-750 WAC - State Noxious Weed List and Schedule of Monetary Penalties
Weed and Vegetation Control Provisions in General Nuisance Ordinances
- Deer Park Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.020(H)(2)(r-s) Defines all noxious weeds upon public or private property, and all unmaintained grass, weeds, and/or similar vegetation growth in excess of 12 inches high as nuisances.
- Ellensburg Municipal Code Ch. 5.40.080(C) - Declares overgrown or unkempt vegation a nuisance. Details maintenance requirements.
- SeaTac Municipal Code Sec. 7.15.020(H-J) - Duty to Maintain Property. Covers dead, decayed, diseased or hazardous trees; overgrown, uncultivated, unkempt, or potentially hazardous vegetation; and inappropriate disposal or accumulation of vegetation waste.
- Union Gap Ordinance No. 2519 (2007) - Adds weedy lots to its nuisance provisions. Owner, occupant or person having control of property is responsible for destroying, removing or trimming overgrown uncultivated vegetation, and for removing and properly disposing of cut weeds, brush, vegetation, or dead weeds that can be scattered or blown about wind.
Specific Weed Control Provisions
- Edmonds Municipal Code Ch. 6.30 - Noxious Weeds
- Goldendale Municipal Code Ch. 8.12 - Weeds
- Kent Municipal Code Ch. 8.07 - Weeds and Vegetation
- Redmond Municipal Code Ch. 6.12 - Noxious Weed Control and Tree Regulations
Weed Control/Nuisance Abatement Bids and Contracts
- La Center Landscape Maintenance Request For Bids and Contract (2011) – Nuisance abatement services for approximately five properties in violation of the city nuisance code due to tall grass, weeds, and other vegetation. Includes sample contract.
County Weed Control Programs
- Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board
- King County Noxious Weed Information
- Lewis County Weed Control
- Okanogan County Noxious Weed Office
- Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board (Also lists ordinance provisions from Kettle Falls, Chewelah, and Colville)
- Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board
- Whatcom County Code Ch. 2.27 - Noxious Weed Control Board
Aquatic Weed Control
- Washington State Department of Ecology Aquatic weed control technical assistance
- Washington State Department of Agriculture NPDES Permits for Aquatic Noxious Weed Control
- King County Aquatic Plants in Lakes
- MRSC Lake and Beach Management Districts
Fire Season Weed Abatement
- Asotin Municipal Code Ch. 8.08 - Weeds, Article I - Dry Weeds
- Chelan Municipal Code Sec. 8.15.020(B-C) - Landowner responsible for removing or destroying vegetation and debris that constitutes a fire hazard.
- DuPont Municipal Code Ch. 14.04 - Vegetation, See Sec. 14.04.080 - Hazardous conditions--Fire hazards
- Ellensburg Municipal Code Ch. 5.40.080(C)(1) - Overgrown or dead vegetation which poses a fire hazard not allowed.
- Everett Municipal Code Ch. 8.08 - Removal of Vegetation. See Sec. 8.08.030 - Dead vegetation—Fire or health hazard
- Spokane Municipal Code Sec. 10.08.040 - Fire Hazards from Vegetation and Debris
- Wenatchee Municipal Code Ch. 3.20 - Flammable Materials
Integrated Weed and Vegetation Control
- Washington State University Extension Combating Weeds with Integrative Controls
- King County Noxious Weeds Biological Control
- Washington State Department of Transportation Vegetation Management
Natural Vegetation Management - Grazing
- MRSC Doesn't That Just Get your Goat! (2014) - Information on use of goats for vegetation management by Washington jurisdictions
- Noble Research Institute: Goats and Weed Control (2007) - Discusses nutritional needs and containment when using goats for weed control.
- Thurston Stream Team Newsletter: Goats, Sheep and Pigs…Oh, My!! (Summer 2012) - Overview of hiring and using goats and other animals for clearing land.
- Healing Hooves: Natural Vegetation Management Using Goats - Washington based vegetation removal service using grazing animals
- East Wenatchee Municipal Code Ch. 17.72.200(J) Allows temporary and periodic use of goats for weed control within all zoning districts.
- Mukilteo Municipal Code Sec. 6.18.010(A)(2) Provides for temporary harboring of goats and sheep for vegetation control
Vegetation Nuisance Control
Interference with Public Right-of-Way
- Bellevue Municipal Code Ch. 14.06 - Trees, Weeds and Vegetation (affecting right-of-way)
- Colville Municipal Code Ch. 12.16 - Provisions against planting trees in public rights-of-way and property owner responsibilities for trimming overhanging trees.
- Edmonds Municipal Code Sec. 9.25.010(A-B) Prohibitions and removal requirements for vegetation obstructing visibility, encroaching or damaging public rights-of-way.
- Kent Municipal Code Sec. 7.04.200 - Planting of certain trees and shrubbery prohibited (public and private sewer obstruction)
- Sequim Municipal Code Sec. 8.04.030(A)(1) - Growing, maintaining, permitting any vegetation to overhang, encroach or obstruct public rights-of-way is a nuisance.
- Walla Walla Municipal Code Ch. 12.44 - Provisions regarding removal of overhanging vegetation
- AuburnMunicipal Code Sec. 8.20.010(C) Grasses (lawn) within the yards of occupied residential properties which are not maintained at a height of six inches or less are declared to be a public nuisance. (D) Grasses, ground cover, and/or vines on vacant lots that are within or adjacent to developed areas which are not used for agricultural purposes, and are not part of a wetland or other sensitive environmental system, which are not maintained at a height of 12 inches or less are declared to be a public nuisance...
- Longview Municipal Code Sec. 16.30.140 - Amendments to International Property Maintenance Code 302.4 Weeds, grass or vegetation - 12 inches for weeds and grasses subject to applicable zoning requirements.
- Mountlake Terrace Municipal Code Sec. 8.15.040(A) Vegetation exceeding 12 inches in height (exclusive of plants and flowers within a flower bed or container, shrubbery, or trees) is prohibited.
- Pasco Municipal Code Sec. 12.12.110(2) Weeds, brush or uncultivated vegetation growing at a height of 12 inches or more is declared a nuisance.
- Richland Municipal Code Sec. 10.04.040(P) - Grasses, weeds, or other vegetation shall not exceed six inches in height except under enumerated situations..
Trees as Nuisances
See also section above Interference with Public Right-of-Way.
- Burlington Municipal Code Sec. 8.12.020(D) City supervisor approval is required for the planting or placement of any tree in a public place. Lists specific trees prohibited in public parking strips.
- Mercer Island Municipal Code Sec. 8.24.020(B) Dead, diseased, infested, or dying trees are declared a public nuisance.
- Puyallup Municipal Code Sec. 6.08.210 Trees obstructing the clear view of traffic are declared nuisances.
- Redmond Municipal Code Sec. 6.12.070 Property owners are responsible for pruning trees and shrubs so that they do not cause an obstruction, block light from street lights, or interfere with passage of vehicles or pedestrians.
- Washington State Department of Agriculture Noxious Weeds
- Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board
- United States Department of Agriculture National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC)
- North American Invasive Species Management Association
- Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides
- Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks: Weed Management Handbook Reference guide for weed control practices and herbicides used in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.