What You Need to Know About Low Mow May 2025

The Building Inspection Division is again letting residents know that it will be suspending the enforcement of the City of Madison’s grass length ordinance during the month of May as part of “Low Mow May” to help support the local pollinator population.

The City ordinance says that the maximum height for lawns is 8 inches. Typically, lawns that are taller than 8 inches are subject to a notice from City inspectors that will direct the property owner to mow their lawns by a certain date or face a fine. To help with the “Low Mow May” effort, the Building Inspection Division will once again push mowing enforcement dates into the month of June, allowing our pollinators more time to thrive.

Pollinators do best when lawns are maintained at 4 or 5 inches tall, which gives them easier access to pollen and nectar from flowers and plants like dandelions, clover, and violets. In order to preserve access to those plants and give them the opportunity to resprout quickly and flower, it’s recommended to raise your lawnmower deck and limit your mowing to twice during the month (every 14 days) instead of every 7 to 10 days.

Earlier this year, the Common Council passed a resolution to reaffirm the City of Madison’s commitment to supporting pollinator health and authorizing the City to take the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge through the National Wildlife Federation. The pledge includes several action items to support monarch butterflies over the next year.