Owners of vacant and unoccupied lots must keep grass, weeds, and growth cut and clear of trash. Chesterfield's weed ordinance sets an 18-inch limit at unoccupied properties, and the county can cut overgrowth and charge the owner if ignored.
Chesterfield's Community Enhancement program treats overgrown, trash-strewn vacant lots as violations. Tall grass and weeds taller than 12 inches at an occupied dwelling, or 18 inches at an unoccupied dwelling, violate the county weed ordinance. After an inspection, the county notifies the owner in writing with a deadline to comply. Virginia Code § 15.2-901 backs this by letting the locality remove trash, refuse, and overgrowth from private property and charge the owner. Dumping or storing junk on a vacant lot can also trigger the state anti-dumping law (§ 33.2-802).
If not cut by the deadline, the county has it cut and bills the owner the cost plus a $35 fee. Unpaid after 60 days, the amount is recorded as a lien against the property.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Chesterfield County, VA
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Chesterfield County, VA
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Chesterfield County, VA
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Chesterfield County, VA
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Chesterfield County, VA
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Chesterfield County, VA
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See how Chesterfield County's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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