Fort Worth requires owners of vacant lots to maintain their property. Chapter 10 of the Code of Ordinances requires that vacant lots be kept free of high weeds (over 12 inches), accumulated trash, debris, and standing water. The city can mow or clean vacant lots after providing notice to the owner and place a lien on the property for the cost of abatement. Code Compliance conducts proactive sweeps of vacant lots in targeted neighborhoods through the Neighborhood Improvement Program.
Fort Worth mandates that vacant lot owners maintain their property to prevent blight and safety hazards. Requirements include regular mowing and weed control (grass must not exceed height limits, typically 8 to 12 inches), removal of trash and debris, securing abandoned structures, and preventing illegal dumping. Vacant lots near occupied properties must not harbor vermin or create fire hazards. Some jurisdictions require vacant property registration with annual fees. The municipality may mow and abate conditions on non-compliant lots and charge costs to the property owner.
Written notice with compliance deadline. Municipal mowing/cleanup at owner expense ($200 to $500+ per occurrence). Liens placed on property for unpaid abatement costs.
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Code Sec. 23-8 caps non-residential and commercial noise at 80 dBA during daytime hours (7 AM - 10 PM), measured at the source property line for a...
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth City Code Sec. 23-8 restricts construction noise that disturbs neighboring properties, with heavy equipment such as pile drivers prohibited betwee...
Fort Worth, TX
Under Fort Worth Code Sec. 22-160, it is unlawful to park a vehicle on any unpaved portion of the front or side yard of a residential lot in A, A-R, B, R-1, ...
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 5.305 limits front-yard fences to open designs with at least 50% transparency, effectively barring solid wood, masonry, or vinyl panel...
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth has no city ordinance requiring neighbors to share fence costs or notify each other before building. The city only enforces fence height, location...
Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth requires building permits for fences over 6 feet tall and for masonry fences. Standard wood or chain-link fences up to 6 feet (8 feet behind the f...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Tarrant County.
See how other cities in Tarrant County handle vacant lot maintenance.
See how Fort Worth's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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