How tall can my grass get in Baytown?
Short answer: Nine inches. Weeds taller than that fall under the city's public-health nuisance rules. After a notice you have seven days to cut it, or the city can mow it and bill you, plus a $100 fee.
How tall can my grass get in Baytown?
Layer twoWhat the code actually says, word for wordTap to open
"all rank and uncultivated vegetable growth or matter that has grown more than nine inches in height,"verbatim
"All property shall be kept cut or mowed"
Layer threeWho handles it: Neighborhood Protection (code enforcement), to report tall grass or ask about a noticeMap
The rule
The city code defines weeds as "all rank and uncultivated vegetable growth or matter that has grown more than nine inches in height," or growth of any height likely to become a decaying mass or a breeding place for flies, mosquitoes or vermin. Uncared-for trees and shrubs over four feet count as "brush." "All property shall be kept cut or mowed" so weeds and brush don't become a health or fire hazard. The rule covers vacant lots too, and reaches 5,000 feet past the city limits. (City Code Secs. 42-26 and 42-61.)
Notice and city mowing
1. The city gives notice to the owner or occupant in person, or mails it first class to the address on the appraisal-district records. If it can't reach you in person, it can publish the notice or post it on the property (Sec. 42-64). 2. You have seven days from the mailing of the notice to fix it (Secs. 42-65 and 42-66). 3. If you don't, the city can mow or clear it and charge the actual cost plus a $100 administrative fee (Sec. 42-66). 4. Unpaid charges can become a lien on the property, with interest at 10 percent a year (Sec. 42-67).
If the notice warns you of it, and the same kind of violation comes back within a year of the notice date, the city can clean it up at your expense without sending another notice (Sec. 42-64(b)).
Fines
The offense is failing to fix the problem after notice (Sec. 42-65). It can be fined up to $2,000 as a public-health matter, with each day counting as a separate offense (Sec. 42-28 and Sec. 1-14).
Who to call
Neighborhood Protection (code enforcement), to report tall grass or ask about a notice. Reports can also go through the city's Better Baytown app.
Sources
- City of Baytown Code of Ordinances, Chapter 42, Article II, Secs. 42-26, 42-28, 42-61, 42-64 to 42-67; Sec. 1-14. library.municode.com/tx/baytown
- City of Baytown, Neighborhood Protection (baytown.org/1178).
En español
En Baytown, el pasto y la maleza de más de nueve pulgadas son un estorbo público, también en terrenos baldíos. Después del envío del aviso, el dueño tiene siete días para cortarlo; si no lo hace, la ciudad puede cortarlo y cobrar el costo más 100 dólares de cargo administrativo. La multa puede llegar a 2,000 dólares por día. Para reportar pasto alto, llame a Protección de Vecindarios.