Weed Control

Weeds are quite the challenge in neighbourhoods. Unmanaged weeds make it difficult to keep gardens and yards looking nice and, in some cases, can create a safety concern for pet owners. 

To address some of these challenges, Bylaw No. 8175, The Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw, 2003, prohibits private property from becoming overgrown with grass or weeds taller than 20 centimeters in height. 

The provincial Weed Control Act, 2010 also allows municipalities to require the eradication and containment of certain weeds within the boundaries of the municipality. This provincial legislation requires landowners to manage weeds that are considered noxious or prohibited.  The three weed categories covered in the Act are as follows:

• Prohibited weeds – Currently, there are no known prohibited weeds in Saskatoon. Two examples of prohibited weeds that are found in Saskatchewan are flowering rush, which is an aquatic invasive, and field scabious, a tall perennial native to Europe. Prohibited weeds must be reported to the Ministry of Agriculture Crops and Irrigation branch.
   
• Noxious weeds – Currently, there are 20 noxious weeds present in Saskatoon; they are: absinthe, baby’s breath, bull thistle, Canada thistle, cleavers, common burdock, common tansy, European buckthorn, field bindweed, kochia, leafy spurge, nodding thistle, oxeye daisy, Persian darnel, prickly lettuce, purple loosestrife (aquatic invasive), round-leaved mallow, scentless chamomile, sow thistles and yellow toadflax.
   
• Nuisance weeds – The nuisance weeds commonly found in Saskatoon are dandelions, foxtail barley, meadow goat’s beard, Russian thistle and quack grass.

For more information on the City’s approach to weed control in parks and open spaces, visit Park Maintenance.
 

Related Provincial Resources

Saskatchewan’s Weed Control Act, 2010, including a full list of weeds. 
Saskatchewan’s Urban Guide to Weed Control
 

Reporting Violations

To report tall weeds and grass concerns, please report a bylaw concern by completing the form and selecting "property maintenance". 
 

Foxtail Barley

Over the years, we have received complaints regarding foxtail barley (foxtail). While not a noxious or prohibited weed, we are taking a proactive approach to minimize the future occurrence of foxtail. This includes creating awareness and educating developers and landowners on the foxtail issues in Saskatoon and sharing viable control techniques.

Foxtail Be Gone is a guide providing detailed information for developers and landowners on what foxtail is and the issues it causes, prevention and best practices.