Brevard County, FL Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Max vegetative height
- 10 inches for grass and weeds
- Trigger distance
- within 25 feet of neighbor or road
- Exemption
- undisturbed native lots, IFAS-certified exempt lots
- Notice period
- 20 days before county abates
- Enforcement
- special assessment lien, 2% above prime
Summary
Brevard County bans excessive overgrowth on vacant unimproved lots in unincorporated areas, capping grass and weeds at 10 inches and treating taller growth within 25 feet of neighboring property or roads as a public nuisance.
The existence of excessive overgrowth upon any lot, tract or parcel of land, improved or unimproved, within 25 feet of any improved property within the unincorporated area of the county, or within 25 feet of any federal, state or county highway, street, road or road right-of-way is hereby declared a public nuisance and thereby prohibited. This section is not intended to apply to undisturbed lots where vegetation has not been previously removed or maintained.(2)It shall be the responsibility of the property owner of record, lessees, tenants and occupants to cut, clear, and remove excessive overgrowth, unless such vegetation is exempt, as determined by this section.(3)The maximum vegetative height of grasses or weeds permitted on non-agriculture exempt lands shall be maintained so as not to exceed 10 inches in height except for undisturbed lots in its native state or other lands certified as exempt.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Under Brevard County Code § 114-28, grass and weeds on unimproved and vacant lots in unincorporated Brevard cannot exceed 10 inches in vegetative height, except on undisturbed lots left in a native state or lots certified exempt by IFAS. Overgrowth taller than 10 inches within 25 feet of an improved neighboring property or a public road right-of-way is a declared public nuisance. Code enforcement notifies the owner; if the violation isn't fixed within 20 days and no hearing is requested, the county abates it and bills the cost as a special assessment lien against the property, bearing interest at 2% above prime.
Violations & Fines
Overgrowth over 10 inches within 25 feet of a neighbor or road right-of-way: notice, then county abatement billed as a lien with 2% above prime interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 10-inch height limit apply everywhere on my lot?
What happens if I don't cut an overgrown vacant lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida property maintenance overview
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