Bradenton, FL Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

The lot clearing article of Chapter 38 opens with a definition. Section 38-111 defines excessive growth as the growth of weeds or plants which are not cultivated or landscaped or regularly tended and which reach a height in excess of 12 inches. Debris is defined broadly to include discarded household items, inoperative machinery, automobiles or appliances, refuse, garbage, rubbish, used scrap lumber, old refrigerators, barrels, boxes and similar material stored externally and not otherwise covered. Section 38-112 declares that such growth or accumulation, because of the city's population density, is a public nuisance.

Section 38-113(a) is the operative prohibition: no person can permit excessive growth or accumulation that creates a haven for snakes, rats or rodents, breeds mosquitoes, or creates a fire hazard endangering nearby structures. Subsection (b) separately covers property on a street right-of-way where plant material or debris obstructs the view of approaching traffic at an intersection or street. Subsection (c) tells owners of developed property to cut hedge and tree trimmings into lengths no longer than four feet and set them at the edge of the street for regular sanitation pickup. Oversized items on vacant lots, such as mattresses, furniture and old refrigerators, must be removed by an outside company within ten days if the city declines to pick them up.

Section 38-114 carves out exemptions: undeveloped land over five acres that has never been cut or mowed, wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas, and undeveloped parcels primarily in a natural state of vegetation that are not otherwise in violation of § 38-113.

The process is administrative. Under § 38-115 the planning and development department receives complaints, inspects and gives notices. After voluntary compliance fails, § 38-116 requires written demand by certified mail, return receipt requested, giving ten days from receipt to clear the property, plus the time, date and place of a City Council hearing and an average estimate of the city's clearing cost. The hearing is held not less than 15 days after the owner receives the notice, and under § 38-117 the owner can present evidence and be represented by counsel.