Virginia Beach, VA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Height trigger
- grass/weeds/brush over 10 inches
- Notice period
- 7 days to cut and remove
- Enforced by
- Dept. of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation
- Penalty
- Class 4 misdemeanor + $150 fee
- Growing season
- one notice covers repeat city mowing
Summary
Virginia Beach requires owners to cut grass, weeds, or brush over 10 inches and remove trash from vacant lots within seven days of notice, or the city mows and bills a $150 fee.
Except as provided in subsections (e) and (f) hereof, upon determination by the director of housing and neighborhood preservation, the code enforcement administrator, or any inspector of the department of housing and neighborhood preservation, whether temporarily or permanently employed as such, that there exists on any land or premises within the city, including the area between such land or premises and the nearer of (i) the curb line, including a sidewalk if one is present, (ii) a sound wall, or (iii) the edge of the pavement of any public street abutting such property in the absence of a curb or sound wall, any grass, weeds, brush or similar vegetation in excess of ten (10) inches in height, notice shall be served on the owner of such land or premises or his or her agent, or on the occupant thereof, or both, to cause such grass, weeds, brush or similar vegetation to be cut and removed from such land or premises within seven (7) days from the date of such notice.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
The Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation or the code enforcement administrator can order removal of trash, garbage, refuse, or litter, and cutting of grass, weeds, or brush exceeding ten inches in height, on any land within the city, including the strip between the property and the street curb. Owners get seven days' notice by mail, personal delivery, or posting. For vacant developed or undeveloped property, one notice per growing season lets the city mow or contract for removal the rest of the season without further notice. Active farmland and specific undeveloped, wooded, or wetland areas are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Failing to comply within the notice period is a Class 4 misdemeanor; the city can also mow or clear the lot itself and bill a $150 administrative fee, which becomes a lien if unpaid within 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass grow on a vacant lot in Virginia Beach before it's a violation?
Does this apply to undeveloped wooded or wetland lots?
What happens if the city removes weeds or trash itself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
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