Orange County, FL Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Section
- § 28-33
- Applies to
- Improved and unimproved lots
- Cleanup notice
- 15 days to abate
- Repeat fine
- $100–$200 per § 28-40
Summary
Owners of improved or unimproved residential, office, commercial, or industrial lots in Orange County must keep the property free of accumulated trash, junk, debris, and yard waste.
Subject to subsection (b), no owner, agent, custodian, lessee or occupant of property utilized or zoned for residential, professional office, commercial, or industrial use shall permit the accumulation of trash, junk, debris, or nonliving plant material on any exterior portion of the property, including the exterior portion of any building located thereon. Accordingly, such owner, agent, custodian or occupant shall maintain and keep the property free of accumulation of trash, junk, debris, and nonliving plant material.(b)Subsection (a) shall not be construed to prohibit any of the following:(1)The storage of trash, junk, debris and nonliving plant material in garbage containers or mechanical garbage containers which comply with all applicable ordinances relating to solid waste collection;(2)The storage of nonliving plant material in compost bins; or(3)Keeping wood on the property for use as fuel, provided:a.Such wood shall be piled, stacked, bundled, or corded and the area surrounding the piles, stacks, bundles or cords shall be free of excessive growth of grass, weeds, brush and branches; andb.Wood piles, stacks, bundles or cords shall be subject to other governing provisions of the Orange County Code, including those found in chapter 38; and(4)Trash, junk, debris and nonliving plant material placed on property at a properly permitted and licensed junkyard, landfill or recycling operation operating in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 128).
Full Breakdown
Code § 28-33 bars any owner, agent, custodian, lessee, or occupant from letting trash, junk, debris, or nonliving plant material pile up on the exterior of residential, professional office, commercial, or industrial property, improved or unimproved. Storage in approved garbage containers, licensed compost bins, or properly stacked firewood is exempt. Code enforcement can order cleanup and place a special assessment lien on the property for the cost.
Violations & Fines
A first violation gets a 15-day notice to clean up under section 28-38; unresolved violations lead to county cleanup billed as a lien, plus fines for repeat offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the lot-cleaning rule apply to a vacant, unimproved lot?
What happens if I don't clean up after a notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orange County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Orange County to another location·View the Florida property maintenance overview
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