Henrico County, VA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 12 inches
- Distance trigger
- Within 150 feet of developed land
- Code section
- Henrico County Code § 10-136(b)
- Notice
- One per growing season
- Unpaid cost
- Becomes real-estate-tax-parity lien
Summary
On undeveloped Henrico property, weeds or grass more than 12 inches tall within 150 feet of adjacent developed property are declared a nuisance the owner must cut. Accumulated trash on vacant lots is also banned.
If the owner of any undeveloped property permits weeds more than 12 inches in height within 150 feet of adjacent developed property, such weeds will constitute a nuisance.
Full Breakdown
Henrico County Code § 10-136(b) declares that weeds more than 12 inches in height within 150 feet of adjacent developed property on any undeveloped parcel constitute a nuisance. 'Weeds' (§ 10-135) means grass, weeds, bushes, poison ivy, poison oak, or other foreign growth other than trees, ornamental shrubbery, flowers, and garden vegetables. Exceptions exist for land more than 50 feet from residential boundaries that is enrolled in a state or federal conservation program and exceeds two acres, and for public-utility transmission easements more than 50 feet from residential boundaries or streets. The § 10-100 ban on refuse and clutter accumulation also applies to vacant lots.
Violations & Fines
If weeds aren't cut within the time set in the notice, the county may cut them and charge the owner (§ 10-138); any charge over $200 that stays unpaid becomes a lien on parity with unpaid local real-estate taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do vacant-lot owners in Henrico have to mow?
Is a large rural or conservation parcel exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Henrico County
Compare Henrico County to another location·View the Virginia property maintenance overview
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