New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances tit. V § 311
Control of vegetation and bare dirt patches (New Haven Housing Code)
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant of any premises in the city to allow grass to grow more than one (1) foot in height, unless such grass is the be harvested as hay, or to allow any weeds of similar growth to grow more than one (1) foot in height, or for front yards to be allowed to deteriorate into unattended bare dirt patches.
New Haven Code of Ordinances Title V § 311 establishes that grass and weeds on any city property must be kept below one foot in height, with a narrow exception for grass being grown specifically for hay harvest. The rule also prohibits front yards from falling into a state of unattended bare dirt. Both owners and occupants share responsibility for maintaining vegetation within these limits.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Title V § 311, compliant property operators in New Haven generally maintain grass and weeds at heights below one foot and ensure that front yards are kept with adequate ground cover rather than left as bare dirt patches. Routine mowing schedules and landscaping upkeep are the typical means by which operators stay within the rule's requirements. The hay-harvest exception is narrow and would need to reflect an actual harvesting purpose to apply.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Title V § 311 places the vegetation-control obligation on both owners and occupants, meaning tenants who are responsible for yard maintenance under their lease may also be subject to this rule. Tenants who believe a landlord is failing to maintain the property in violation of this provision may consider raising the issue with New Haven's code enforcement office or consulting a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options. Documenting the condition of the yard with dated photographs can be a useful step when pursuing any complaint.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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