It’s Illegal to Mow Your Lawn Outside of These Hours in Minnesota

It's practically that time of year when everyone will be out mowing their lawns in Minnesota. Before you pull out the lawn mower for the season, did you know that there's a time frame where if you mow your lawn it could be illegal?

ALSO READ: Popular North Shore Hiking Trails Will be Closed this Year

We've all had at least one neighbor in our lives who would mow at ridiculous times of the day. I remember growing up I had a neighbor who would mow super early in the mornings on the weekends. Come on, dude!

Don't Mow Just Yet Though!

If you're itching to get out and mow, stop it! This time of year is too early to mow.

Why?

Because there are important bugs and other critters that are still hibernating underneath all of the grass and other yard clippings and leaves. So if you mow before they come out you'll decimate their home... and maybe them.

Get our free mobile app

When it's safe to mow is after the lowest temperature is consistently 40 degrees or higher. So just check out the daily lows and once it's warm enough, you're good to mow!

When it's Illegal to Mow Your Lawn in Minnesota

It's not illegal to mow too early in the season but it can be illegal to mow at certain times of the day. And this is because of noise ordinances.

I looked at the noise ordinances for Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rochester, Minnesota to see what different rules are, because they can be different based on your city.

What I was able to find is that Minneapolis law says you aren't allowed to operate outdoor equipment like power lawnmowers between the hours of 10 PM and 6 AM. In St. Paul, the hours are 10 PM to 7 AM. And quiet hours in Rochester, are 11 PM to 7 AM.

That means during your city's quiet hours you're not allowed to mow your lawn. If you aren't sure what your city's quiet hours are, I think the best rule of thumb is just don't do it between 10 PM and 7 AM and in most situations, you should be fine.

A Potential Exception to the Rule

A potential exception would be electric lawnmowers.

That's because the laws, which are written pretty similar for all cities, say something like the one written for the city of St. Paul. That one states:

No person shall operate any domestic power tool between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in a distinctly and loudly audible manner as to unreasonably disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of any person nearby. Operation of a domestic power tool during those hours in such a manner as to be plainly audible at the property line of a structure or building in which it is located, in the hallway or apartment adjacent, or at a distance of fifty (50) feet if the source is located outside a structure or building, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

Electric lawnmowers are quieter than gas-powered lawnmowers. So it's possible you could get away with mowing with an electric lawnmower during quiet hours, but it may be better to just not risk it.