Alexandria, VA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Nuisance threshold
- weeds over 12 inches
- Notice period to cut
- 10 days
- First violation penalty
- $100
- Second violation (6 mo)
- $250
- Each additional violation
- $500
- Unpaid city cutting bill
- becomes a lien on property
Summary
Alexandria declares weeds over 12 inches tall a public nuisance on any property, including vacant lots, under City Code § 5-9-2. The city can order an owner to cut them within 10 days, then cut them itself, bill the owner, and place a lien on the property if the bill goes unpaid.
Weeds on any property located within the city that are in excess of 12 inches in height are found to be a danger to the public health and are hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance. The owners of property located within the city shall cut the weeds that are in excess of 12 inches in height on such property. The owners of property shall also cut weeds in excess of 12 inches along public sidewalks, curb lines and within tree wells which are within 12 feet of the owner's front property line. ... the failure to do so shall constitute a violation of this section. Said violation shall be a class four civil violation which shall be enforced through the levying of a civil penalty pursuant to section 1-1-11 of this code; provided, that the penalty for the first violation occurring in any six-month period shall be $100, for a second violation occurring in any six-month period the penalty shall be $250, and for each additional violation occurring in any six-month period the penalty shall be $500.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 156 | Zoning: Supplement 103).
Full Breakdown
Section 5-9-1 defines 'weeds' to include grass, weeds, bushes and other vegetation, excluding trees, ornamental shrubbery, flowers and properly tended garden vegetables. Section 5-9-2 declares any weeds over 12 inches tall on any city property a danger to public health and a public nuisance, a definition broad enough to reach vacant, unimproved lots as well as occupied ones. Section 5-9-3 puts the cutting duty on the owner, covering not just the lot itself but weeds along abutting public sidewalks, curb lines and tree wells within 12 feet of the owner's front property line.
Under § 5-9-4, the director of the bureau of code enforcement gives written notice; the owner has 10 days from receipt to cut, and mailing to the owner's last known address is sufficient service if the owner cannot be located or is a nonresident. If the owner does not comply, § 5-9-5 lets the city cut the weeds itself, bill the owner through the department of finance, and, if unpaid within 30 days, collect the cost the same way as unpaid city taxes and record it as a lien against the property.
Section 5-9-6 makes failure to cut after notice a class four civil violation enforced under § 1-1-11, with penalties that escalate for repeat violations within the same six-month period.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a 10-day cutting notice is a class four civil violation under § 5-9-6, enforced through § 1-1-11: $100 for a first violation in any six-month period, $250 for a second, and $500 for each additional violation in that same window. Separately, any cost the city incurs cutting the weeds itself becomes a lien against the property if the bill isn't paid within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can weeds get on my Alexandria property before it's a violation?
What happens if I ignore the notice to cut weeds?
Does Alexandria's weed ordinance apply to vacant, unimproved lots?
Am I responsible for weeds on the sidewalk strip in front of my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alexandria
Compare Alexandria to another location·View the Virginia property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.