Montgomery County has limited authority over vacant lots in unincorporated areas since Texas counties cannot zone or enforce general nuisance codes like cities. High-grass and vacant-lot enforcement applies mainly inside Conroe and other incorporated municipalities; The Woodlands relies on deed restrictions and Covenant Administration for vacant parcel maintenance.
Texas counties have no general police power to regulate vacant lot appearance, grass height, or routine trash in unincorporated areas. Under Local Government Code Chapter 343 (County Nuisance Abatement), Montgomery County may abate genuine public health nuisances on vacant parcels (stagnant water breeding mosquitoes, accumulations of rubble harboring rodents, unsecured open wells/excavations) after written notice to the owner, but it cannot impose a general mowing standard. HB 2127 (Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, 2023) further preempts counties from adopting ordinances inconsistent with state law. Inside the City of Conroe, Chapter 38 of the Code of Ordinances governs nuisances: grass and weeds over 12 inches on vacant lots are a public nuisance, owners receive 10 days' notice, and failure to abate allows city mowing with costs assessed as a lien against the property. In The Woodlands (unincorporated township governed by The Woodlands Township and The Woodlands Community Association/Village Associations), vacant residential lots must comply with recorded deed restrictions enforced by Covenant Administration, including mowing, weed control, and prohibition on dumping. Illegal dumping on vacant property (any location in the county) is a state crime under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 365, with penalties escalating by weight and volume of material. Property owners should also watch for tall-grass complaints to Precinct Commissioners, which are routed to the relevant city or HOA since the county itself has no mowing ordinance.
Unincorporated Montgomery County: no county grass-height fine, but Ch. 343 nuisance abatement allows county crews to abate at owner cost with costs filed as a lien. Conroe (Ch. 38): 10-day notice, then city mowing with admin fee plus cost of service, typically $200-$600 plus a lien. The Woodlands: Covenant Administration issues deed-restriction violation letters; unresolved violations can lead to fines through the township courts or civil enforcement. Illegal dumping (H&SC Ch. 365): Class C misdemeanor up to felony depending on weight, with fines from $500 to $50,000 and possible jail time.
Willis, TX
Willis §92.21 specifically prohibits keeping any animal or bird that makes frequent or long-continued sounds unreasonably disturbing neighbors. Animal contro...
Willis, TX
Willis Code §92.21 prohibits sound nuisances that unreasonably annoy, disturb, injure, or endanger the peace, comfort, repose, health, or safety of a reasona...
Willis, TX
Willis has no specific leaf blower ordinance. Leaf blower use is subject to §92.21 general nuisance provisions. No ban on gas-powered equipment.
Willis, TX
Willis §92.21 prohibits the use of drums, loudspeakers, and amplifiers to attract attention by creating noise without a city secretary permit. Residential am...
Willis, TX
Driveway construction in Willis requires building permits under Chapter 150 (Building Codes). Zoning Code (Chapter 155) sets off-street parking requirements....
Willis, TX
RV and boat parking in Willis is subject to zoning ordinance (Chapter 155) requirements and Texas Transportation Code. Residential zones may restrict long-te...
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