Kingsport, TN Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Height trigger
- 12 inches or more above the ground
- Near buildings
- Within 50 feet of a dwelling or occupied building
- Near streets
- Within 15 feet of a public street or alley
- Litter notice
- City acts 30 days after certified notice is received
- Overgrowth cleanup notice
- Ten days to remedy under Sec. 22-619
- Default penalty
- $10.00 to $50.00 under Sec. 1-14
Summary
In the City of Kingsport, Tennessee, Sec. 106-51 makes it unlawful to let grass, weeds or uncultivated vegetation reach 12 inches or more on unimproved land when the growth is within 50 feet of a dwelling or occupied building, within 15 feet of a public street or alley, a harbor for vermin, a fire hazard, or growing in a paved or graveled area visible from a public way.
(a)Except as otherwise set forth in this section it is unlawful for the owner, lienholder, occupant or any person or persons, agent, firm, corporation, other legal entity, lessee, or agent having control or management of any unimproved land within the city to permit, allow or maintain grass, weeds or uncultivated vegetation exceeding a height of 12 inches or more above the ground and such a condition is hereby declared to be a public nuisance if it is:(1)Located within 50 feet of any dwelling or occupied building;(2)Located within 15 feet of any public street or alley;(3)Any place where such growth provides a harbor for rats, mosquitoes or other vermin;(4)When it constitutes a fire hazard based on an adopted fire code; or(5)When it is growing in cracks or otherwise in any paved, graveled or other improved area, and it is visible from any public way, street, sidewalk or alley or public right-of-way.
Full Breakdown
Article III of Chapter 106 separates improved from unimproved land, and vacant lots fall under Sec. 106-51. Sec. 106-49 defines unimproved land as a privately owned parcel or platted lot with no building, structure, dwelling, walk, driveway, porch, parking area, paved or graveled area, private roadway or other improvement. Grass, weeds and uncultivated vegetation include poison oak and poison ivy, whether living or dead, but not trees, ornamental shrubbery, ornamental grass, flowers or garden vegetables.
Growth of 12 inches or more is a public nuisance on unimproved land only in five situations: within 50 feet of a dwelling or occupied building; within 15 feet of a public street or alley; anywhere it harbors rats, mosquitoes or other vermin; when it is a fire hazard under an adopted fire code; or when it grows in cracks or other paved, graveled or improved areas and is visible from a public way. Outside the fifth situation, Sec. 106-51(b) measures the whole area, excluding any part not covered by soil, and the typical height of all or substantial parts of the growth.
Sec. 106-53 puts the duty to cut and remove on the owner, occupant, lessee or any agent controlling the land, including up to and along the traveled portion of the adjacent street or right-of-way. Sec. 106-52 bars plant growth that makes adjoining streets, alleys or sidewalks unsafe or impedes traffic. Sec. 106-54 exempts undeveloped wooded areas where tree growth exceeds ten feet, government land, streambeds and banks, densely wooded parcels, conservation slopes, terrain that cannot be mowed with wheeled equipment, and agricultural land.
Litter is a separate rule. Sec. 38-35 bars throwing litter on vacant private property and lets the city manager send the owner a certified notice, with City disposal after 30 days from receipt. Under Secs. 22-616 to 22-619, the building official can also give notice to the owner of record of any property other than an owner-occupied residence where trees, vines, grass, underbrush or debris endanger health or attract rats, and the owner has ten days to remedy it.
Violations & Fines
Article III of Chapter 106 prints no penalty of its own, so the general penalty in Sec. 1-14 applies: $10.00 to $50.00, unless state law permits more, with each day a separate offense. The City can also clean up and bill the owner. Under Sec. 22-619, costs after a ten-day notice are assessed against the owner and become a lien once notice is filed with the register of deeds. Under Sec. 38-35(d), litter removal costs carry interest at six percent per annum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can weeds get on a vacant lot in Kingsport?
Which vacant lots are exempt from the weed rule?
What happens if a vacant lot owner ignores a City notice?
Who must cut the strip beside the street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kingsport
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