Burleson, TX Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Owners of vacant lots in the City of Burleson answer to two articles of Chapter 34. Section 34-296 says a person commits an offense by throwing or depositing litter on any open or vacant private property within the city, whether owned by the person or not, or in or on any adjacent gutter, parkway, sidewalk or alley. The offense reaches the dumper, not only the owner. Under § 34-299, a first conviction under § 34-296 carries a minimum fine of $200.00, doubled for a second conviction within any 24-month period and trebled for a third, and never above the maximum of $2,000.00.

Weeds are the second front. Section 34-61(b)(1) declares a nuisance any weeds, grass or uncultivated plants in rank profusion or above 12 inches on average on any property within the corporate limits, vacant or not. Under § 34-62(c)(1), the city can abate without notice weeds that have grown higher than 48 inches and are an immediate danger to the health, life or safety of any person. After doing so it must give the owner notice no later than the tenth day, including a statement that the city abated the weeds and an explanation of the right to request an administrative hearing. The owner has 30 days after abatement to file a written hearing request, and the hearing is held no later than 20 days after the request is filed.

Dumping on a lot also falls under the nuisance list. Section 34-31(10) covers the accumulation or dumping of rubble, debris, tires, scrap metal and similar material on private property.

A lot with a pending project gets extra scrutiny. Before an application for change of zoning, platting or replatting is accepted, all liens and charges from weed abatement must be satisfied, and the city can revoke an issued permit until the weeds are abated (§ 34-62(b)).