Hendersonville, TN Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Vacant lot limit
- 18 inches maximum
- Large-tract threshold
- Over 2 acres
- Buffer requirement
- 25-foot mowed strip at boundary
- Improved-lot comparison
- 10 inches (stricter)
- Code
- Property Maintenance Code § 302.4.1
Summary
Vacant and undeveloped lots in Hendersonville get an 18-inch weed and grass limit instead of the 10-inch rule for improved property, with tighter mowed buffers required once a tract exceeds two acres.
For undeveloped properties, the growth shall not exceed eighteen (18) inches. For large tracts refer to Section 302.4.1. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.
302.4.1 Large Tracts. For properties involving more than two (2) acres the following provisions shall apply:
(a)Properties located adjacent to improved properties of less than two (2) acres shall be maintained at less than eighteen (18) inches in height to a depth of twenty-five (25) feet along property lines that abut a public shall also be required to maintain a minimum distance of fifty (5) feet around any structure.(b)Properties located adjacent to unimproved properties of less than two (2) acres shall be maintained at less than eighteen (18) inches in height to a depth of twenty-five (25) feet along property lines that abut a public right-of-way or public property. 302.4.2 Right-of-way. All property owners shall maintain the portion of the public right-of-way abutting their property in accordance with Section 16-109 of the Hendersonville Municipal Code. No weeds or other growth shall be permitted on comer lots which may cause a reduction in traffic visibility at intersections."
(9)Section 302.8 is deleted and replaced with the following:
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Property Maintenance Code § 302.4 sets an 18-inch height cap for weeds and grass on undeveloped or vacant property, double the 10-inch limit for improved lots. For vacant tracts larger than two acres, § 302.4.1 adds buffer-mowing duties: growth must stay under 18 inches for a 25-foot depth along property lines bordering a public right-of-way, public property, or an adjoining unimproved parcel under two acres. Noxious weeds remain prohibited on any lot regardless of size.
Violations & Fines
A vacant lot over the 18-inch limit, or a large tract that fails to maintain the required mowed buffer strip along its boundary, is a Property Maintenance Code violation subject to a notice of violation from the Department of Building and Codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the weed limit on an empty lot in Hendersonville?
Do large vacant tracts have extra mowing duties?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hendersonville
Compare Hendersonville to another location·View the Tennessee property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.