Vacant lots must be kept free of trash, debris, and overgrown vegetation (grass/weeds above 10 inches). Owners must fence or secure lots against unauthorized entry.
White Plains Ch. 5-7 requires vacant land to be maintained: no debris, no tall grass/weeds over 10 inches, no stagnant water (mosquito vector control), and secure against entry. Downtown vacant parcels pending redevelopment often have fence-and-screen requirements tied to site plans. This vacant lots rule under White Plains's property maintenance ordinances applies to properties within White Plains city limits. For current statutory text, amendments, enforcement procedures, fines, appeal options, and any exemptions that may apply to your situation, contact White Plains code enforcement directly or consult the official New York municipal code library. Ordinances change periodically; always verify with local staff before relying on summary information.
Unabated: City mows and bills; fines $250β$1,000 per occurrence with liens for abatement costs.
White Plains, NY
Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW cannot park overnight on residential streets. Delivery and service trucks allowed during active work only; daytime co...
White Plains, NY
Recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers cannot be stored on streets. Residential zoning restricts storage in driveways and front yards β typically rear or...
White Plains, NY
Driveway curb cuts and aprons require a permit from Public Works. Parking across the sidewalk or blocking pedestrian path is prohibited. Surfaces must be pav...
White Plains, NY
Retaining walls over 4 ft high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) require a Building Department permit and engineered drawings. Walls supportin...
White Plains, NY
White Plains prohibits chickens, roosters, and livestock in residential zones. City is urban/suburban and not zoned for agricultural use. No backyard chicken...
White Plains, NY
White Plains enforces the New York State Property Maintenance Code (19 NYCRR Part 1225) and Fire Code through its Department of Building. Single- or multiple...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Westchester County.
See how other cities in Westchester County handle vacant lot maintenance.
See how White Plains's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.