Weed Control on Private Property

What's New

This growing season, the City of Edmonton is doing more to hunt down some of our worst offenders on private and public property: noxious weeds.

These weeds are armed and dangerous. They can grow and spread quickly, invading crops and ecosystems, and making properties unsightly, overgrown and infested.

So the City’s running a noxious weeds awareness campaign to remind Edmontonians about their role, and the City's role, in managing these wanted weeds. When it comes to noxious weeds, it's high time we work together to mow ‘em down, pull ‘em up and move ‘em out! 

Visit the campaign web page.

What you can do

We all share responsibility for managing noxious weeds in Edmonton. As a property owner, you have many options for controlling noxious weeds:

• You are required to mow your property to 10 cm (4") or less. Cutting weeds before they go to seed, with mowers or weed eaters, will kill them in a couple of years.
• You can also pull weeds out of the ground by hand to control small numbers.
• Keeping your lawn healthy will make it more difficult for weeds to grow or go to seed on your property. You can also follow these tips.
• Spraying weeds is also an option. Consult your local greenhouse to learn about eco-friendly products and how to apply them properly.

Weed laws

The Government of Alberta regulates the spread of noxious weeds and prohibited noxious weeds through the Weed Control Act.

The City of Edmonton sets standards for keeping yards tidy through the Community Standards Bylaw.

Property owners are required to cut weeds and grass to 10 cm (4”) or less to prevent the spread of noxious weeds and keep yards tidy.

The City doesn't regulate nuisance weeds, like dandelions, on private property. However, the City controls both noxious and nuisance weeds on City property using green turf management practices.  

Reporting Your Concerns

If you have a concern about noxious weeds:

• Discuss the concern with the property owner. 
• Record the address of the violation and a description of the problem if you can't resolve it directly with the property owner. 
• Call 311.
• Provide your name, address, phone number, and the details of your concern.

Responding to Your Complaint

After you call 311, the City takes these steps to help with your issue:

1. A file is created specifying your concerns. 
2. A Municipal Enforcement Officer (MEO) opens an investigation. 
3. The officer investigates your complaint within 4 business days; the MEO may issue a warning notice with directions to remedy the problem within 10 days.
4. The officer may issue an order, which allows the City to fix the problem and bill the property owner for the cost.

Protecting your Privacy

The information you provide will be used to process your complaint, but your name and address will not be made available to anyone else. For more information on how the City protects your privacy visit Freedom of Information and Privacy.

For more information:

Current Planning Service Centre

Sustainable Development
5th floor, 10250 - 101 Street
Edmonton, AB  T5J 3P4

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Friday
8am to 4:30pm

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Fax	780-496-6054