Vegetation Nuisance

Sioux Falls is an excellent place to live. The appearance of the yards and lots contribute to the pleasantness of our city. As property owners we have the responsibility to control weeds and keep our property mowed. Preventing weeds from going to seed is an excellent way to prevent their spread, while regular mowing assists in weed control as well as improving property appearance.

All actively growing plants declared to be state-wide noxious weeds by the state weed and pest control commission, all actively growing weeds declared by the county to be locally noxious, and all other non-woody plants growing in the city to a greater height than eight inches, are noxious, dangerous and unhealthful, and are declared to be a nuisance. This does not apply to vegetation which is being grown as a crop, livestock pasture, wildflower display garden or has been designated by the director as a natural area or a native planting.

The City has adopted an ordinance requiring property owners to mow their property. When the city receives a complaint about a parcel of land that is being neglected, the City will investigate the complaint with a site visit. If the complaint is valid the respective property owner will be sent a letter asking that the nuisance be corrected by a certain date, (generally 7 days).

The City will re-inspect the property on or after the due date. If the notice to correct has not been complied with at that time, Parks and Recreation will turn the case over to the City’s Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement Officer may issue administrative citations in the amount of $100.00 for the first violations, subsequent violatins may cost more. In addition Parks and Recreation will remedy the nuisance with an independent lawn/mowing service. The property owner will be billed for the service. If the bill is left unpaid the cost will be assessed against that property, to include the cost of levying such special assessment.