Grapevine requires property owners to maintain vegetation clear of structures and to remove dead brush that creates fire or pest hazards. Chapter 18 nuisance provisions and International Fire Code cover requirements.
Grapevine property owners must maintain vegetation in a manner that does not create fire hazard, rodent harborage, or general nuisance. The International Fire Code adopted by the city requires defensible space around structures, typically 10 feet of cleared area with flammable vegetation managed to reduce fire spread. While Grapevine is not in a wildland-urban interface comparable to California, brush and tall grass can still carry fire from one structure or vehicle to another, especially during Texas summer drought. Owners must remove dead trees, fallen limbs, and accumulations of brush that threaten neighboring structures or utility corridors. Tall grass over 12 inches in residential areas is a violation under the weed and grass provisions of Chapter 18 and Chapter 13 health provisions. Code Compliance issues notice-to-abate letters typically with 10 to 14 days to comply; unresolved conditions can result in city-ordered abatement with costs billed to the property owner as a lien. Grapevine Lake shoreline properties and areas adjacent to the Cotton Belt Trail have additional brush management considerations due to wildlife habitat interface.
Class C misdemeanor; up to 500 dollars per day. City-ordered abatement costs become property liens.
See how other cities in Tarrant County handle brush clearance.
See how Grapevine's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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