How tall can my grass and weeds get in Bellaire?

On your lot

Section 22-50 says: "It shall be unlawful for any person, who shall own or occupy any lot or lots in the city, to allow weeds and/or grass to grow on such lot or lots to a height of more than nine inches. Weeds and/or grass, of a height exceeding nine inches, is declared a nuisance." Rule: City Code Sec. 22-50.

The strip next to your street

Section 22-22 says the owner or person in control of a property must "cut, mow and maintain all grass and weeds upon the right-of-way or easement abutting the property" to a uniform height. The code defines that height: "Uniform height for grass and weeds shall mean a height not to exceed nine inches." You must also keep that strip "free and clear of nuisance vegetation."

So the nine-inch limit covers two areas: the right-of-way or easement abutting your property (Sec. 22-22) and any lot (Sec. 22-50).

Trees over that strip must be trimmed so they "hang no lower than 13 feet over any street, right-of-way or easement" and "no lower than nine feet over any sidewalk." Rule: City Code Sec. 22-22.

Other weeds, brush and rubbish

Article II of Chapter 22 deals with private property. It declares it a public nuisance when a lot has "weeds, brush, rubbish, and all other objectionable, unsightly and unsanitary matter of whatever nature" on it. It also covers a lot with holes, or one that "holds or is liable to hold stagnant water."

The code defines these words: - Weeds: "all rank and uncultivated vegetable growth or matter which is liable to become an unwholesome or decaying mass or breeding place for flies, mosquitoes, or vermin." - Brush: "all uncultivated shrubs, bushes, and small trees."

The owner or the person in control of the property must remove the problem: "Any such nuisance shall be removed from the property by the owner or other person in possession or control of such property." Rule: City Code Secs. 22-45 and 22-46.

Inspections

"The city health officer or his representative is authorized to inspect any property within the limits of the city, at any reasonable time," subject to the code's limits on entering a private residence for a health inspection. Rule: City Code Sec. 22-47.

Notice

Section 22-48 sets two paths: - If the enforcing officer decides a situation "immediately affects the health, safety and well-being of the general public and that immediate action is necessary," the officer may take necessary action, "including issuing citations for violations of the terms and provisions of this Code to the owner or occupant of the property." - For anything that is not an emergency, a notice to correct the condition "may be given in writing to such owner or occupant by letter addressed to such owner or occupant at his post office address or notice by publication in the official newspaper of the City of Bellaire for two times within ten consecutive days."

If the officer cannot give personal notice by letter, or the owner's address is not known, "notice shall not be necessary." The code also says "proof that notice has actually been given shall not be a prerequisite for prosecution." We did not find a set number of days to fix the problem after a notice. Rule: City Code Sec. 22-48.

City mowing, charges and liens

Section 22-49 adds a second remedy on top of the fine. The city "may do such work or cause the same to be done to remedy such condition or remove such matter from such owner's premises at the city's expense and to charge the same to the account of the owners of such property and to assess the same against the real estate or lot or lots upon which such expense is incurred."

Once the city files a statement of the expenses with the Harris County clerk, "the city shall have a privileged lien upon said real estate or lot or lots second only to tax liens and liens for street improvements," securing the money spent plus "ten percent interest on the amount from the date of such payment." The city may sue to recover the expenses and foreclose the lien. Rule: City Code Sec. 22-49.

We did not find a flat mowing fee, an administrative fee or a hearing step in these sections. Secs. 22-52 through 22-74 are marked "Reserved." Ask Code Compliance for the current process and charges. Deed restrictions or HOA rules may be stricter than the city's.

What happens if you don't

For the strip next to your street, the code allows a "fine against a property owner and/or any other person in possession or control of such property of up to $500.00 per occurrence" (Sec. 22-22). For weeds and grass on a lot, the sections set no fine of their own, so the general rule applies: a fine of up to $2,000, because overgrowth is treated as a public health and sanitation nuisance, and each day counts as a new offense (Sec. 1-10). The legal basis is Texas Local Government Code Sec. 54.001. The city can also mow at your cost and lien the property, as described above.

Who to call

Code Compliance Office. The city lists "high grass/weeds" among the things it handles, and you can report a problem online.

Sources

• City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances, Sec. 22-22 (mowing, tree trimming and care of rights-of-way and easements). library.municode.com/tx/bellaire
• City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances, Secs. 22-45 to 22-50 (offensive conditions on private property, notice, abatement by the city, height limit). library.municode.com/tx/bellaire
• City of Bellaire Code of Ordinances, Sec. 1-10 (general penalty). library.municode.com/tx/bellaire
• Texas Local Government Code, Sec. 54.001 (maximum fines for city ordinances). statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/LG/htm/LG.54.htm
• Code Compliance, City of Bellaire. https://www.bellairetx.gov/1672/Code-Compliance

En español

El pasto y la maleza no pueden pasar de nueve pulgadas, ni en su terreno (Sec. 22-50) ni en la franja de la ciudad junto a su propiedad, que es el derecho de paso o servidumbre (Sec. 22-22). En esa franja, los árboles deben estar podados a no menos de 13 pies sobre la calle ni 9 pies sobre la acera. El dueño o la persona que controla la propiedad es responsable.

El código declara una molestia pública la presencia de "maleza, arbustos, basura" y otras cosas desagradables o insalubres, y el dueño debe quitarla (Secs. 22-45 y 22-46). Un funcionario de la ciudad puede inspeccionar la propiedad a una hora razonable (Sec. 22-47).

Si el problema no es una emergencia, la ciudad puede avisar por escrito, con una carta a la dirección del dueño u ocupante, o con un aviso publicado dos veces en diez días consecutivos en el periódico oficial. Si no se puede dar aviso personal o no se conoce la dirección, el aviso no es necesario (Sec. 22-48). No encontramos un número de días para corregir el problema. Si no se corrige, la ciudad puede limpiar o cortar a costa del dueño, cobrarle el gasto y registrar un gravamen sobre la propiedad, con interés del diez por ciento desde la fecha del pago (Sec. 22-49). No encontramos una tarifa fija de corte ni una audiencia en estas secciones. Pregunte a la Oficina de Cumplimiento del Código por el proceso actual.

Para la franja junto a la calle, la multa puede ser de hasta $500 por infracción (Sec. 22-22). Para el pasto y la maleza en un terreno se aplica la regla general: hasta $2,000, porque se trata como una molestia de salud pública y saneamiento, y cada día cuenta como una nueva infracción (Sec. 1-10). La base legal es la Sec. 54.001 del Código de Gobierno Local de Texas. Las reglas de su asociación de vecinos pueden ser más estrictas.