Houston requires property owners to maintain vegetation to prevent fire and safety hazards. Grass must be 9 inches or less; brush and shrubbery 7 feet or less. Vegetation over 48 inches is declared an immediate danger and may be abated without notice.
Under Section 10-453 of the Code of Ordinances and Section 342.008 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, overgrown vegetation is a fire and safety hazard. Property owners must maintain grass at 9 inches or less and brush and shrubbery at 7 feet or less. Weeds or brush exceeding 48 inches are declared an immediate danger to health, life, or safety, and the city may abate without prior notice. The city files a lien against the property for abatement costs if the owner does not request an administrative hearing. Code enforcement is complaint-driven through 311 and the Neighborhood Protection Division.
1st offense: $50 to $1,000. 2nd offense: $100 to $1,500. 3rd offense: $200 to $2,000. Emergency abatement for vegetation over 48 inches with lien filed for city costs.
Houston, TX
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harris County.
See how other cities in Harris County handle brush clearance.
See how Houston's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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