Battle Creek, MI Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Battle Creek adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, 2015 edition, in Chapter 1450 of its Codified Ordinances, and section 1450.02(d) fills in the grass length for section 302.4 as nine inches. Section 1450.03(b) then rewrites 302.4: premises and exterior property must be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of nine inches, and noxious weeds are prohibited. Weeds are defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation other than trees or shrubs, but the term does not include cultivated flowers and gardens.

The enforcement path is spelled out in the same section. Under 302.4.2 the City Manager or a designated agent can inspect a lot or parcel on receiving a complaint, or on his or her own initiative, with authority to enter the land at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions. Under 302.4.3 the City Manager or agent gives notice to abate the nuisance vegetation, allowing at least ten calendar days from service of the notice. Failure to abate within that period is a violation. The weeds text also lets a duly authorized City employee or contractor enter the property, cut and destroy the weeds, and charge the cost to the owner or agent responsible.

The exception is narrow. The chapter does not apply to any permanent pasture or meadow, or to weeds in fields devoted to growing small grain crops such as wheat, oats, barley or rye. The code defines permanent pasture and meadow as an area in excess of one acre of native or seeded perennial grasses and other perennial plants.

A separate rule in section 1064.32 makes anyone owning or having a possessory interest in a vacant lot responsible for securing, collecting and disposing of refuse that accumulates on it, either by contracting with a licensed hauler or by self-removal to an approved disposal area.