Deer Park, TX Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Weed Height Limit
- 12 inches maximum
- Notice Period
- 7-10 days to comply
- City Abatement
- $150-$500 charged to owner
- Lien
- Filed for unpaid abatement costs
- Repeat Offenders
- No additional notice for 12 months
Summary
Deer Park requires all property owners and occupants to keep lots free of excessive weeds, brush, and rank vegetation under Chapter 34 of the Code of Ordinances. Weeds exceeding 12 inches in height constitute a nuisance. The city enforces proactively with drive-by inspections and through citizen complaints. Failure to abate results in city-contracted mowing at the owner's expense with costs secured by a property lien.
Sec. 342.004. MUNICIPAL POWER CONCERNING WEEDS OR CERTAIN PUBLIC NUISANCES. The governing body of a municipality may require the owner of real property in the municipality to keep the property free from weeds, brush, and a condition constituting a public nuisance as defined by Section 343.011(c)(1), (2), or (3). Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 580 (S.B. 837), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.
Sec. 342.005. VIOLATION OF ORDINANCE. The governing body of a municipality may punish an owner or occupant of property in the municipality who violates an ordinance adopted under this subchapter. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1,
Full Breakdown
Deer Park's weed ordinance, codified in Chapter 34 (Health and Sanitation) of the Code of Ordinances, declares weeds, rank vegetation, and brush exceeding 12 inches in height to be a public nuisance. The ordinance covers all property within the city including occupied lots, vacant land, commercial parcels, and the area between the property line and the curb. Code Enforcement conducts regular drive-by inspections during the growing season and responds to citizen complaints year-round. When a violation is identified, the city sends a written notice to the property owner of record (via the Harris County Appraisal District records) and any known occupant.
The notice provides a deadline (typically 7-10 days) to bring the property into compliance. If the property is not abated within the notice period, the city may contract a mowing crew to clear the lot and bill all costs to the property owner. Costs vary based on lot size but typically range from $150 to $500. Unpaid abatement costs are secured by a lien filed against the property, which accrues interest and may be collected through the same process as delinquent property taxes. For repeat violators, the city may establish standing authorization to abate future violations without additional notice for a 12-month period after the initial notice.
Violations & Fines
Written notice is provided with a 7-10 day compliance deadline. If not abated, the city mows at the owner's expense ($150-$500 typical). Unpaid costs become a property lien. In municipal court, each day of continued violation after notice is a separate offense with fines up to $500 per day. Repeat offenders may lose the right to additional notice for 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report an overgrown property in Deer Park?
What is considered a weed under Deer Park's ordinance?
Can the city put a lien on my property for not mowing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Deer Park
How Deer Park compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Deer Park to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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