Houston prohibits overgrown weeds under §10-453. Property owners must maintain grass at 9 inches or less and brush at 7 feet or less. Open storage of debris, junk, and rubbish on lots is also prohibited.
Section 10-453 of the Code of Ordinances classifies overgrown weeds, shrubs, grass, and vegetation as fire and safety hazards. Property owners and occupants are responsible for maintaining weeds and grass at 9 inches or less and brush and shrubbery at 7 feet or less. Additionally, property maintenance rules prohibit open storage of dead trees, tires, refuse, glass, building materials, appliances, inoperable boats, and junk vehicles. The city enforces through the Neighborhood Protection Division on a complaint-driven basis. Community Code Enforcement uses building codes, sign codes, nuisance violations, and beautification projects to clean up neighborhoods.
Weed violations: $50–$2,000 escalating fines. Open storage violations: correction notice and fines. Emergency abatement for extreme cases with lien filed.
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 weed ordinances.
See how Houston's weed ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
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