Vestavia Hills, AL Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Section 11-10(3) of the Vestavia Hills Code of Ordinances, part of the city's hazardous accumulations article, specifically extends the 12-inch vegetation standard to unimproved property: any growth of vegetation on an improved lot or an unimproved lot that has been previously cleared of vegetation, if that lot is adjacent to another improved lot, beyond the height of 12 inches is deemed favorable to the harboring of mosquitoes, insects or vermin and a hazardous condition under the section. Section 11-10(4) carves out an exception for a genuinely wooded, natural or nature-preserve lot that has never been cleared, but even those areas must still be kept free of the other nuisances the section lists, such as rubbish, tires, junk vehicles and pooled water.

When a vacant lot is found in violation, the enforcement path is the same as for any other hazardous accumulation: a police, fire or other city official serves written notice under section 11-10(5) giving the owner ten days to correct it, followed by a court-appearance notice under section 11-10(6) if the condition persists, a municipal court hearing, and abatement by the director of public works at the owner's expense if the owner still fails to act within five days of a judge's order. 00, whichever is greater.