Pontiac, MI Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

The rule in Chapter 122, Article III covers any parcel of land in the City of Pontiac, occupied or vacant, plus the sidewalk and the street or alley strip between the property line and the curb. Section 122-71(a) bars weeds, grass or rank vegetation averaging more than eight inches, any accumulation of dead weeds, grass or brush, and specifically poison ivy, ragweed or other poisonous, noxious or unhealthful growths; subsection (b) caps ordinary turf grass on private property at the same eight inches. Starting April 1 each year, the Director of Community Development or a designee may notify the owner, occupant or agent to cut, destroy or remove the growth and keep it down through October 31 under Section 122-72.

Ownership responsibility extends to the right-of-way strip abutting the lot, minus dead or diseased trees located there, under Section 122-73(b). The Department of Building and Safety mails notice giving the responsible party ten business days to abate under Section 122-73(c); a separate Section 122-74 notice runs at least ten days before the City sends its own crew, except where there is an immediate hazard to public safety. If the growth is not cleared, the City abates it under Section 122-77 and bills the owner for the cost plus a Council-set administrative fee, with unpaid balances becoming a lien collected like a special assessment under Section 122-78(b).