Sandy, UT Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Sandy City Code section 19-3-1 makes it unlawful for any owner or occupant of real property in the city, a category that reaches vacant and unimproved lots, to let weeds grow beyond the permitted maximum height or to fail to remove them after notice from the Salt Lake Valley Health Department Director or the Sandy City Community Development Director. Section 19-3-2 sets that maximum at six inches: weeds must be cleared from all real property in the city once they would exceed six inches, and the cuttings must be cleared and removed from the premises, not left on site.

For a vacant lot of one acre or more, the owner may instead cut a 30-foot firebreak no more than six inches high around all structures and around the complete perimeter of the property, rather than clearing the entire parcel. If notice has already been served on the same property and owner, Section 19-3-3 dispenses with serving a further notice before enforcement. Separately, Section 13-10-2 requires every nonresident owner of a vacant lot or other vacant property to appoint a resident agent responsible for keeping that lot free of litter, and if litter is not removed within ten days of written notice, the City may clean the property and bill the owner, with an unpaid bill after 30 days becoming a lien on the property.

Enforcement of the weed provisions runs through Section 19-1-3 inspection authority and Section 19-1-7 abatement, which lets the Director act under Utah Code section 10-11-3 if an owner fails to comply with a weed-removal notice.