Hendersonville, TN Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Vacant-lot maintenance in Hendersonville is governed by the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), adopted effective 7/1/2025 under the City's Policies & Codes Adopted list, and enforced through the City's Zoning Enforcement program. IPMC Section 302.4 (Weeds) provides the operative standard: 'All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of [JURISDICTION TO INSERT HEIGHT] inches' — applied across all premises and exterior property including vacant lots; the model IPMC default is six inches, and adopting jurisdictions commonly amend the threshold upward (Hendersonville does not publish a public-facing amendment of the height number outside the adopted IPMC). The rule covers grasses, annual plants, and vegetation, but excludes trees, shrubs, cultivated flowers, and gardens. The Zoning Enforcement page identifies 'Property maintenance such as high grass' as a covered violation alongside 'litter or inoperable vehicles on the property.' Enforcement workflow: (1) a citizen complaint is filed; (2) the City performs an inspection; (3) an initial violation letter is mailed with the relevant ordinance citation and a 7-to-60 day correction window depending on the violation type; (4) a follow-up letter is sent if not corrected; (5) a citation is issued; (6) the matter proceeds to Municipal Court. The Planning Department administers the program from 101 Maple Drive N, Hendersonville, TN 37075 (615-264-5316; planning@hvilletn.org; Monday–Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm). Owners of vacant lots are responsible for the same exterior maintenance standards as occupied parcels. For abandoned/obsolete signs and traffic-hazard signs on vacant lots, the Prohibited Signs guidance allows the Planning Department to remove the violation if the owner has not done so within 10 days of notice, with the cost of removal becoming a lien against the property until satisfied.