Schenectady, NY Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- Over one foot (12 inches)
- Applies to
- Occupied or unoccupied lots
- Enforcer
- Bureau of Property Management
- Abatement
- City cuts, bills owner via taxes
- Administrative fee
- $30 or 10%, whichever higher
Summary
Owners of occupied or unoccupied lots in Schenectady cannot let weeds, grass, or noxious growth stand over one foot high. The Bureau of Property Management cuts overgrown lots and bills the owner through the tax roll plus a fee.
It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee or occupant ... having control of any occupied or unoccupied building lot or plot of land ... to permit any noxious weeds or grass or deleterious, unhealthful or noxious growths over one foot in height to grow or stand or be deposited on any such lot or plot or along the sidewalks, street or alley adjacent to the same for 10 feet outside the property line, if there is no curb, nor permit the deposit or accumulation of dead weeds, grass or brush or other unhealthful debris on such lot or plot.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4990798; v11 updated 2026-04-13; through 04-13-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 258, § 258-1 makes it unlawful for any owner, lessee, or occupant controlling an occupied or unoccupied building lot or plot of land to permit noxious weeds, grass, or growths over one foot in height to grow, stand, or be deposited on the lot, or along the adjacent sidewalk, street, or alley for 10 feet past the property line where there is no curb. Dead weeds, grass, brush, and unhealthful debris are barred too. When an owner ignores notice, the Bureau of Property Management cuts and clears the lot itself under § 258-6, then recovers the cost, plus a $30 or 10% administrative fee, by adding it to the owner's next tax bill.
Violations & Fines
The City cuts and clears the overgrown lot itself, then adds the cost plus a $30 or 10% administrative fee to the owner's next tax bill, collected like delinquent taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to empty, unimproved lots?
How tall can weeds or grass get before it's a violation?
What happens if I don't clear my lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Schenectady
New York rules heatmap·Compare Schenectady to another location·View the New York property maintenance overview
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