Greenville, NC Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

City Code Section 12-3-4(B) declares a dense growth of weeds, grass or noxious vegetation exceeding ten inches a public nuisance citywide, then carves out specific depth rules for larger and vacant parcels rather than exempting them. Any lot over one acre, including a vacant undeveloped lot, must be kept clear of dense growth and noxious vegetation for a depth of 20 feet from the improved road surface. Where the adjacent property is occupied by a building or structure, a vacant undeveloped lot or a lot over one acre must additionally be maintained to a depth of 100 feet from its side and rear property lines.

The exception does not apply to land the city or another government agency has certified as a vegetative buffer, floodplain, stream buffer, open space or other protected natural area. Enforcement runs through the same Chapter 3 process as any other nuisance: the Code Enforcement Supervisor issues a written notice under Section 12-3-6 giving the owner ten days to abate, service is made under Section 12-3-7 by personal delivery or certified and regular mail to the address on file with the Pitt County tax office, and an owner may request a hearing under Section 12-3-10 within the abatement period.

If the owner does not act, the city can clean the lot itself under Section 12-3-9 and place the cost, plus a notice and collection fee, as a lien on the property collected like delinquent taxes. An owner who owns property where the city abated a nuisance three times in the prior calendar year is a 'chronic violator' under Section 12-3-8 and can be cleaned up again in the same year without further notice.