Grand Junction, CO Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Cut height trigger
- Weeds/brush over 6 inches
- Required cut level
- Within 3 inches of ground
- Undeveloped land threshold
- Over 1 acre gets distance rule
- Adjacent tract buffer
- 20 feet if tract also kept cut
- Right-of-way buffer
- 40 feet from adjacent ROW
- First City cutting fee
- $50 plus 25% surcharge
Summary
In the City of Grand Junction, every owner and lessee of a lot or tract must cut weeds and brush to within three inches of the ground once growth exceeds six inches, with puncture vine cut regardless of height. Undeveloped lots over one acre get a modified, distance-based standard instead of a lot-wide mow requirement.
It shall be the duty of each and every owner and each and every lessee of any tract or parcel of real property in the City, including such owners or lessees of agricultural lands (as defined in § 39-1-102(1.6)(a), C.R.S. to keep the property free of junk and rubbish, to cut to within three inches of the ground all weeds and brush exceeding six inches in height, including puncture vine regardless of height, and to keep such growth down on each lot or tract of ground on or along any street or avenue adjoining such lot or tract between the property line and the curbline thereof, and on or along any alley adjoining such lot or tract between the property line and the center of such alley. ... The requirements of subsection (a)(1) of this section shall not apply to undeveloped lands over one acre in size; instead, such owners or lessees of such lands shall be required to keep weeds down or cut between the property line of such land and the center of any adjacent right-of-way and shall be required to keep the weeds down or cut within 20 feet of any adjacent tract, parcel or area on which the weeds are kept down or cut, and within 40 feet of any adjacent right(s)-of-way.
Full Breakdown
Grand Junction Municipal Code § 8.04.020 makes it the duty of every owner and lessee of a tract or parcel, including agricultural land, to keep the property free of junk and rubbish and to cut weeds and brush down to within three inches of the ground once they exceed six inches in height; puncture vine must be cut regardless of height. The duty extends to the strip between the property line and the curb line on adjoining streets, and between the property line and the alley center on adjoining alleys.
Owners of undeveloped land over one acre get a distance-based rule instead of full-lot mowing: they must keep weeds cut between the property line and the center of an adjacent right-of-way, within 20 feet of any adjacent tract that is itself kept cut, and within 40 feet of any adjacent right-of-way. Community Development inspects on request, on a neighbor complaint, or when a City agent observes a violation from a public right-of-way; entry requires notice, and if access is refused the City can seek an inspection warrant from Municipal Court under § 8.04.020(d).
If an owner does not comply after notice, the City can cut and remove the growth itself under § 8.04.050 and bill the property under § 8.04.060.
Violations & Fines
Under § 8.04.060, the City charges its actual labor, equipment and material costs plus an administrative penalty of $50 for a first City-performed cutting, $100 for a second, and $150 for a third or later cutting within five years, plus a 25 percent surcharge for supervision and inspection. Unpaid assessments become a lien on the property and, per § 8.04.080, are certified to the Mesa County Treasurer for collection with the general property tax roll, plus a further 25 percent administrative surcharge. Section 8.04.090 also allows a separate fine or jail penalty for the underlying violation regardless of whether an assessment was made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my whole vacant lot have to be mowed in Grand Junction?
What happens if I ignore a weed notice from the City?
Can a City inspector enter my vacant lot without permission?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Grand Junction
Compare Grand Junction to another location·View the Colorado property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.