Tallahassee, FL Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

The Code of General Ordinances, Article III, "Offensive Accumulations and Growths," splits enforcement into two divisions covering the same conduct. Division 1's Sec. 9-61 makes it unlawful to allow trash, litter or debris to accumulate, or weeds and grass to grow uncontrolled, "whether such premises are occupied or unoccupied": that language reaches vacant lots directly. Seven narrow exceptions let land stay natural, including areas required to be natural by a recorded site plan or deed restriction, land inside a canopy-road building setback, and property zoned agricultural under LDC chapter 10.

Sec. 9-62 makes failure to cut weeds or clear debris within 48 hours of written notice from the city manager, the manager's designee, or a police officer a Code violation. Division 2 adds the city's abatement machinery: Sec. 9-64 declares the accumulation of weeds, grass or underbrush a public nuisance; Sec. 9-65 sets the operative standard, requiring every owner, agent, custodian, lessee or occupant to cut and keep weeds, grass or underbrush to a height not exceeding 12 inches and to remove trash, debris, refuse or filth.

If the property owner does not comply after the Sec. 9-62 notice, Sec. 9-66 authorizes the city to cut the lot itself and assess the actual cost against the property. The city manager or designee may serve that notice by registered or certified mail to the owner's last known address or, if the owner cannot be located and the property is unoccupied, by posting notice on the lot itself. Sec. 9-67 layers on a separate administrative processing fee set by the city manager or designee.

Sec. 9-68 turns the unpaid cost and fee into a special assessment lien superior to nearly every other claim on the property except taxes, due within ten days of billing, though the owner may request a hearing before the code magistrate under chapter 2 before the lien is enforced.