Chattanooga, TN Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 10 inches, grass/weeds/underbrush
- Applies to
- All premises, incl. vacant lots
- Notice period
- 10 days to correct
- Enforcement
- City abates + liens property
Summary
Chattanooga caps grass, weeds, and underbrush at 10 inches on all premises and exterior property, vacant and unimproved lots included, and can send a crew to cut overgrowth and bill the owner for it.
All Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from grass, weeds or underbrush in excess of ten (10) inches. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Bushes, shrubs, vines, groundcover and decorative landscaping shall be properly maintained.(b)The Owner or Person responsible for the Premises who allows an overgrowth violation to occur may be subject to prosecution. In addition, the City, acting through authorized employees or a contractor hired by the City, shall be authorized to enter upon the property and cut and remove the overgrowth growing thereon, with the costs of abating the violation, plus administrative fees, assessed against the owner.(c)Any citation for a violation of this Ordinance shall not be issued during the period of a declared natural disaster emergency issued by the Mayor in the location of such emergency.(d)City approved RainSmart Yards and projects approved through the RainSmart Rewards program that adhere to the program's maintenance requirements shall be exempt from the provisions of this ordinance. (Ord. No. 13442, § 1, 3-12-19; Ord. No. 13639, § 1, 1-12-21; Ord. No. 14232, § 1, 5-13-25)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 21-136(a) applies to "all Premises and exterior property," capping grass, weeds, and underbrush at 10 inches and prohibiting noxious weeds outright, regardless of whether the lot carries a building. Under subsection (b), an owner who lets overgrowth violate the ordinance can be prosecuted, and the City, through its own employees or a hired contractor, may enter the property, cut and remove the overgrowth, and assess the abatement cost plus administrative fees against the owner. Section 21-137 backs this with a 10-day notice-to-correct, a hearing/appeal process, and a lien on the property for unpaid costs (with a $500 threshold before a lien attaches to owner-occupied residential property).
Violations & Fines
Overgrowth above 10 inches is a code violation; after a 10-day written notice under § 21-137, the City can abate it directly and place a lien on the property for the cost plus fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chattanooga's weed limit apply to empty lots?
What happens if I don't mow a vacant lot in Chattanooga?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
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