Tallahassee, FL Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Under Section 9-61(a) of the Code of General Ordinances, it is unlawful for any owner, tenant or agent to have, allow or permit trash, litter, debris or other noxious matter to accumulate on a property in Tallahassee, whether the lot is occupied or vacant. Section 9-61(b) separately prohibits the uncontrolled growth of weeds or grass, but carves out seven specific exemptions: land required to stay natural by a recorded site plan or deed restriction, land consistent with the natural character of the surrounding area, land inside a city park kept in a passive setting, the building setback zone of a designated canopy road, land in a zoning district designated for agricultural use under Land Development Code chapter 10, or land required to stay natural by another ordinance.

Absent one of those, code enforcement's practice under Section 9-62 is to send written notice, by the city manager, the manager's designee, or any police officer, giving the property owner or occupant 48 hours to cut the weeds or grass and remove the trash, litter, debris or noxious matter. Missing that 48-hour window is itself a separate violation of the Code. If the owner still does not comply, Division 2 of the same article lets the city send its own crew to cut the lot and haul away the debris, then bill the owner an administrative fee plus the actual cost of the work under Sections 9-66 through 9-68.

Unpaid bills become a special assessment lien recorded against the property, superior under Section 9-68(a) to every other lien, encumbrance, title or claim except taxes, if not paid within ten days of the city's itemized statement. Property owners can contest the underlying violation finding at a hearing before the city's code magistrate.