Texas City, TX Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 94.028 of the Texas City Code of Ordinances, part of the code the City Commission enacts for Galveston County's refinery and port city, makes it unlawful to allow weeds or tall grass (12 inches or higher), rubbish, brush or any other unsightly, objectionable or unsanitary matter of whatever nature to accumulate or remain on any lot or premises. The duty reaches the owner, lessee, renter and occupant alike, and it sits in Chapter 94, Health and Sanitation, under the subchapter on unsanitary, unsightly conditions on private premises. The text ties the rule to Texas Health and Safety Code § 342.004.

Division (B) is the fast track. Weeds that have grown higher than 48 inches and are an immediate danger to the health, life or safety of any person can be abated by the city without notice, citing Texas Health and Safety Code § 342.008. Everything short of that goes through the notice process in § 94.029: the city notifies the owner in writing to correct, remedy or remove the condition within ten days after the notice. Notice is given personally, by letter to the owner's address in the appraisal district records, or, if personal service cannot be obtained, by publication at least once or by posting on or near the front door of each building or on a placard on a stake driven into the ground. A letter the Postal Service returns as refused or unclaimed still counts as delivered. The notice can also warn that a repeat violation of the same kind on or before the first anniversary of the notice lets the city correct it without further notice and assess the expense against the property.

When the ten days run out, § 94.030 authorizes the city to do the work and charge the owner, add the cost to the property's city water bill, or place a mechanic's lien on the property. A $50 charge is added for the administrative expense of preparing, filing and releasing the lien. The Mayor, the Director of Community Development or an employee under the Director files a statement of expenses with the County Clerk, and § 94.032 gives the city a privileged lien, second only to tax liens and liens for street improvements, bearing 10% interest per year from the filing date.