A method for preventing epitaxial growth in a semiconductor device is described. The method includes cutting the fins of FinFET structure to form a set of exposed fin ends. A set of sidewall spacers are formed on the set of exposed fin ends, forming a set of spacer covered fin ends. The set of sidewall spacers prevent epitaxial growth at the set of spacer covered fin ends. A semiconductor device includes a set of fin structures having a set of fin ends. A set of inhibitory layers are disposed at the set of fin ends to inhibit excessive epitaxial growth at the fin ends.