Owners of vacant or unoccupied lots in unincorporated Pinellas County must keep grass and weeds below 12 inches and clear debris, or face county lot clearing and a special assessment lien under Chapter 58.
Vacant-lot maintenance is enforced through the same code provisions that apply to occupied parcels. Section 58-331 of the Pinellas County Code prohibits grass and weeds over 12 inches across the majority of a property, regardless of whether the lot is built on or vacant. Article IX of Chapter 58 (Lot Clearing) governs the abatement procedure. The county sends a notice to the owner of record at the address on the property appraiser's roll, posts the property, and places a placard at the courthouse. If the owner does not cut and remove the material, the county arranges contractor cleanup and records the cost as an assessment lien that accrues interest under Section 58-339 until paid.
Failure to maintain a vacant lot leads to county-performed mowing and debris removal at the owner's expense, recorded liens with accrued interest, and potential additional fines for repeat violations.
Pinellas County, FL
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See how Pinellas County's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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