Does Lubbock, TX have its own vacant lot maintenance ordinance?

No. Lubbock, TX does not appear to have a local vacant lot maintenance ordinance, Texas state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from TX H and S Code Sec. 342.004.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Lubbock

Lubbock, TX Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Weed height limit: 8 inches average height
Enforcing office: City environmental inspection services manager
Notice-to-abatement window: 7 days before city can act
Administrative fee: $175 per occurrence
Lien priority: Second only to tax/street liens, 10% interest
Repeat violation: No further notice required within 1 year

Summary

Lubbock caps grass and weeds at 8 inches average height on every lot, occupied or not, and bans nuisance conditions on the property or the adjacent sidewalk, parkway, or alley. The environmental inspection services department enforces it, with a $175 administrative fee and a lien if an owner does not comply.

(a) Nuisance. It shall be unlawful for an owner, or any person(s) having supervision or control of any lot, tract, parcel of land thereof, occupied or unoccupied, improved or unimproved, within the corporate limits of the city, to suffer or permit a nuisance upon the premises or otherwise, in, along, upon or across the adjacent sidewalk, parkway or alley to exist. (b) Weeds. It shall be unlawful for an owner or any person(s) having supervision or control of any lot, tract, parcel of land thereof, occupied or unoccupied, improved or unimproved, within the corporate limits of the city, to suffer or permit grass, weeds or any plant that is not cultivated to grow to a greater height than eight (8) inches on an average of the individual lot, tract or parcel or to grow in rank profusion upon the premises or otherwise, in, along, upon or across the adjacent sidewalk, parkway or alley to a height greater than eight (8) inches on the average.

Source: TX H and S Code Sec. 342.004View official code

Full Breakdown

033 makes it unlawful for an owner or anyone with supervision or control of a lot, tract, or parcel, occupied or unoccupied, improved or unimproved, to let a nuisance exist on the premises or the adjacent sidewalk, parkway, or alley (subsection (a)), and separately bans letting grass, weeds, or uncultivated plants grow past 8 inches on average, or in rank profusion, on the lot or the adjacent right-of-way (subsection (b)). 035 requires the city environmental services manager or a designee to notify the owner by certified mail, by regular mail plus posting on the property, or by personal delivery, and to set a deadline to abate.

036, if the owner does not comply within seven days of that notice, the city can mow or clear the lot itself and bill the owner personally for the cost. 037 adds a flat $175 administrative fee per occurrence on top of the abatement cost, adjusted annually since October 1, 1997. 035(b) lets the city skip notice entirely and act, billing the owner again. 038 lets the environmental inspection services manager or a designee issue a municipal court citation, including immediate citations for violations witnessed in person, and file a lien against the property for the unpaid costs, fees, and expenses; that lien ranks second only to tax liens and street-improvement liens and carries 10 percent interest on the delinquent amount from the due date.

034 additionally places an ongoing duty on whoever possesses the property to abate the violation as soon as they become aware of it, independent of any city notice.

Violations & Fines

Failure to abate after notice is a municipal court citation matter and is treated as maintaining a public nuisance. The city can clear the lot itself after 7 days' notice, charge the abatement cost plus a $175 administrative fee, and file a property lien (second only to tax and street-improvement liens) that accrues 10 percent interest. A repeat violation on the same lot within one year can be corrected and billed without any further notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can grass and weeds get on a vacant Lubbock lot before it's a violation?

No more than 8 inches on average, whether the lot is occupied or unoccupied and improved or unimproved. The limit applies to the whole lot and to the adjacent sidewalk, parkway, or alley strip the owner is responsible for under section 34.02.033(b).

What happens if I don't mow after the city sends notice?

Under section 34.02.036, the city can do the mowing itself once seven days pass after notice, then bill you for the work plus a $175 administrative fee under section 34.02.037. Unpaid amounts become a property lien under section 34.02.038.

Does the city have to warn me every time before acting?

Only the first time. Section 34.02.035(b) lets the city correct a repeat violation of the same kind within one year of the original notice without sending another notice, then assess the cost to the owner.

Sources & Official References

[1]Lubbock, Texas Code of Ordinances § 34.02.033

Other rules in Lubbock

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All Lubbock rules

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