Mansfield, TX Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Weed/grass max height
- 12 inches typical
- Includes parkway strip
- Yes, between sidewalk and street
- Dumping prohibited
- No trash or construction debris
- City abatement
- Available if owner fails to comply
- Lien authority
- TX Local Gov Code 342.007
Summary
Owners of vacant lots in Mansfield must keep weeds and grass below 12 inches and remove trash and debris. The city can mow and clean up neglected lots and assess a lien against the property for costs.
Sec. 342.004. MUNICIPAL POWER CONCERNING WEEDS OR CERTAIN PUBLIC NUISANCES. The governing body of a municipality may require the owner of real property in the municipality to keep the property free from weeds, brush, and a condition constituting a public nuisance as defined by Section 343.011(c)(1), (2), or (3). Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 580 (S.B. 837), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.
Sec. 342.005. VIOLATION OF ORDINANCE. The governing body of a municipality may punish an owner or occupant of property in the municipality who violates an ordinance adopted under this subchapter. Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1,
Full Breakdown
Mansfield requires owners of vacant lots, both residential and commercial, to maintain the property in a safe and sanitary condition. Weeds, grass, brush, and rank vegetation must be cut below the threshold established in the citys nuisance ordinance (typically 12 inches) for all portions of the lot, including parkways between the sidewalk and street. Lots cannot be used for dumping trash, yard waste, or construction debris. Tires, containers, and other items that collect stagnant water are prohibited because of mosquito-borne disease risks. When a vacant lot becomes a nuisance, Mansfield Code Compliance issues a notice of violation to the owner of record, providing a compliance period to abate the condition.
If the owner fails to comply, the city can authorize contractors to mow, clean, and secure the property and charge the costs back to the owner. 007 and local ordinance, the city can file a lien against the property to secure payment. Absentee owners should ensure the county tax office has an accurate mailing address to receive notices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to mow a vacant lot I own in Mansfield?
Will Mansfield mow my lot if I ignore notices?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mansfield
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Vacant Lot Maintenance in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle vacant lot maintenance.