Houston requires grass to be maintained at 9 inches or less under §10-453 of the Code of Ordinances. Violations escalate from $50 to $2,000. Grass over 48 inches is declared an immediate danger and may be abated without notice, with costs liened.
Section 10-453 of the Code of Ordinances and Section 342.008 of the Texas Health and Safety Code require property owners to maintain grass at 9 inches or less and brush at 7 feet or less. Violations are enforced through the Neighborhood Protection Division on a complaint-driven basis via 311. First offense fines range from $50 to $1,000; second offense $100 to $1,500; third offense $200 to $2,000. Vegetation exceeding 48 inches is declared an immediate danger to health, life, or safety and may be abated by the city without prior notice. The city files a lien for abatement costs if the owner does not request an administrative hearing.
1st offense: $50–$1,000. 2nd offense: $100–$1,500. 3rd offense: $200–$2,000. Emergency abatement at 48+ inches with lien. Dead trees: $200–$2,000.
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 grass height limits.
See how Houston's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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