Newport News, VA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Who is responsible
- Owner, occupant or other person responsible for upkeep, occupied or vacant land
- Area covered
- The property plus the adjoining area to the center line of an abutting alley
- Unlawful triggers
- Five conditions in § 13-150(b)(1); any one is enough
- Grass and weeds
- Over 10 inches within 150 feet of a building; over 15 inches presumed detrimental
- Civil penalty
- $100.00 first summons, $150.00 each additional, $3,000.00 cap
- City cutting charge
- Actual cost plus $150.00 administrative charge, collected as a lien
- Notice
- Mailed to owner of record, needed only once annually
Summary
Newport News makes it unlawful for the owner of any land, occupied or vacant, to let shrubs, trees and other vegetation grow into "overgrowth" that hides address numerals, blocks traffic, cuts off sight lines, blocks emergency access or damages a building. The duty runs to the center line of an abutting alley. If the owner does not cut it, the city does and bills the owner.
(b) Cutting of overgrown shrubs, trees, and other such vegetation. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any land, or any occupant or other person who is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of any land, occupied or vacant, including the area adjoining such property extending to the center line of an abutting alley, to permit overgrown shrubs, trees, and other such vegetation (collectively, for purposes of this section, "overgrowth") to exist in a manner that is in violation of this section. ... (1) Overgrowth shall be unlawful if any one or more of the following applies: a. The overgrowth obstructs the view of address numerals on buildings or mail boxes; b. The overgrowth blocks or obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic on public rights-of-way; c. The overgrowth obstructs the view of oncoming traffic at intersections or for vehicles exiting a driveway; d. The overgrowth obstructs access to emergency escape and rescue opening points, as defined by Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, or path of travel from any street to the primary entrance of any primary or accessory structure
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 81).
Full Breakdown
Section 13-150(b) of the Newport News City Code reaches the owner of any land, plus any occupant or other person responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. It names vacant land expressly, so an empty lot carries the same duty as a house with a yard. The duty also covers the area adjoining the property out to the center line of an abutting alley, which means the strip behind a lot is the lot owner's to keep clear. The 2021 amendment (Ord. No. 7723-21) defined "overgrowth" as overgrown shrubs, trees and other such vegetation, and says it includes noxious weeds, vines, ivy and any other plant material that can inhibit the growth of native vegetation.
Overgrowth becomes unlawful when any one of five conditions applies: it obstructs the view of address numerals on buildings or mail boxes; it blocks pedestrian or vehicular traffic on public rights-of-way; it obstructs the view of oncoming traffic at intersections or for vehicles leaving a driveway; it obstructs access to emergency escape and rescue opening points under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, or the path of travel from any street to the primary entrance of any primary or accessory structure; or it grows into or on a building in a way that is detrimental to the building or has caused damage.
The separate height rule in subsection (a) is stricter on numbers. Grass or weeds over 10 inches within 150 feet of any building are treated as detrimental to public welfare, and grass or weeds over 15 inches are presumed detrimental wherever they stand. Subsection (c) exempts farm land from subsection (a), unless that land sits within 100 feet of a structure of another owner on an adjacent tract or parcel.
The director mails the notice of violation to the owner of record at the address the real estate assessor keeps for tax assessments. The notice explains the requirements and warns that the city will cut the vegetation and charge the owner. The city needs to send that notice only once each year. Under section 13-151 the codes compliance administrator can have the work done by city forces or by contract, and the owner pays the actual cost plus a $150.00 administrative charge. Under section 13-152 the director certifies the total to the city treasurer, who adds it to the next regular tax bill. An unpaid charge is a lien against the real property.
Violations & Fines
Violations of section 13-150 are civil violations under section 13-2(d)(1). After a notice of violation, a person who does not comply within 10 days faces a $100.00 civil penalty for the initial summons and $150.00 for each additional summons. Each day is a separate offense, charges on the same facts come no more often than once in any ten-day period, and a series is capped at $3,000.00 in total. Using the civil penalty rules out criminal sanctions for the same offense. Separately, the city's cutting bill carries a $150.00 administrative charge and becomes a lien on the parcel if left unpaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the overgrowth rule apply to an empty lot with no building?
How far does my responsibility extend past the lot line?
What happens if I ignore the notice from the city?
How often does the city have to send me a notice?
What is the fine if I am summoned instead of the city cutting it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newport News
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