Rochester §39-10 and suburban codes require vacant lots to be maintained — grass under 10 inches, debris removed, secured against dumping. Vacant Foreclosed Registry applies to mortgaged abandoned parcels. Abatement with property lien for non-compliance.
Rochester Municipal Code §39-10 requires vacant lots to be maintained — grass/weeds kept below 10 inches, debris removed, secured against illegal dumping, no harborage of vermin. Suburban town codes (Greece §171-11, Irondequoit Ch. 177, Brighton §198-20) set similar grass height limits (typically 8-12 inches). Rochester's Vacant Foreclosed Registry (§90-17) covers mortgagee-owned parcels. The City may mow/clean and lien the costs via §39-15. NY Real Property Tax Law §1111-a provides tax foreclosure pathway for chronically delinquent vacant lots. Monroe County maintains an Office of Real Property with tax-foreclosure auction inventory. Illegal dumping on vacant lots: Rochester fines $250-$2,500.
Grass over limit: notice with 10-14 day cure, then municipal mow at $200-$500+. Liens placed for unpaid abatement. Chronic non-compliance: escalating fines, potential tax foreclosure.
Monroe County, NY
City of Rochester prohibits on-street parking 2 AM to 6 AM year-round under Municipal Code §111-5 (alternate side not in effect; blanket overnight ban). Resi...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County towns specify approved fence materials in zoning codes. Wood, vinyl, chain-link, and wrought iron standard. Barbed wire banned in residential z...
Monroe County, NY
NY State Uniform Code (Residential Code §R404) requires engineered design for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing. Monroe County muni...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County does not have a separate countywide smoke-alarm ordinance; smoke-alarm requirements come from the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Bu...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County is not designated a high wildfire hazard area. No defensible space requirements. NY DEC Part 215 brush burn ban (March 16 – May 14) is the prim...
Monroe County, NY
Monroe County follows NY DEC Part 215 seasonal burn ban (March 16 to May 14). Property owners must keep lots clear under town property maintenance codes. No ...
See how Monroe County's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.