How Allentown Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Allentown maintains 106 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Allentown falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Tree Trimming

In Allentown, the owner of property abutting a public right-of-way is responsible for the care and maintenance of any shade (street) tree growing in that right-of-way. A City permit from the Department of Public Works is required before pruning, removing, planting, stump-grinding, or applying pesticide/fertilizer to a street tree, and all work must follow the City's Arboricultural Specifications and Standards of Practice under Article 911 of the 1962 Codified Ordinances.

Key details: Code Section: Article 911 of the 1962 Codified Ordinances; Ch. 597 (Trees), Art. I (Shade Trees). Who maintains street trees: Owner of abutting property. Permit required for: Planting, pruning, removal, stump grinding, pesticide/fertilizer. Licensed contractor required: Yes, for pruning, removal, pesticide/fertilizer (City-licensed ISA contractor). Permit term: Expires 60 days from issue.

Performing tree work in the right-of-way without a permit, using an unlicensed contractor where one is required, or failing to provide required replacement trees within 6 months is a violation of Article 911 of the 1962 Codified Ordinances and subjects the property owner to penalties. Replacement trees not planted within 6 months (or that do not meet City standards) may be planted by the City, with an administrative fee plus all replacement costs charged to the property owner of record.

Compared to other cities, Allentown takes a harder line on tree trimming. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Grass Height Limits

Allentown limits grass and weed height to 10 inches. Under Chapter 393 (Neighborhood Improvement), no owner, possessor, or responsible agent of real property or any tract of land may allow grass or weeds to exceed 10 inches in height, and the same 10-inch limit applies to the tree well, sidewalk, curbline, and planter strip abutting the property.

Key details: Code Section: Chapter 393 (Neighborhood Improvement) - Weeds. Maximum grass/weed height: 10 inches. Also applies to: Tree well, sidewalk, curbline, planter strip. Owner duty: Cut grass/weeds to prevent overgrowth. Notice: City must notify only once per calendar year before cutting.

Grass or weeds exceeding 10 inches is a code violation. After a single annual notice, the City or its contractors may cut the vegetation and bill the owner; unpaid abatement costs and administrative fees are typically recovered against the property. Enforcement is handled by the City's neighborhood-improvement/code-enforcement officers.

Compared to other cities, Allentown takes a harder line on grass height limits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Water Restrictions

Allentown has no permanent day-of-week or time-of-day lawn-watering ordinance. Outdoor watering is restricted only when the Governor declares a drought emergency, at which point Pennsylvania's statewide nonessential-water-use ban (4 Pa. Code Chapter 119) prohibits watering grass except for narrow exceptions. The Lehigh County Authority (LCA), which supplies Allentown, issues its own voluntary or mandatory conservation requests tied to the state drought status.

Key details: Code Section: 4 Pa. Code Chapter 119 (esp. Section 119.4). Permanent local watering ban: None in Allentown city code. Trigger: Governor-declared drought emergency. Allowed grass watering hours (emergency): 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., hand-held only, for new seed/sod. Water supplier: Lehigh County Authority (LCA).

During a declared drought emergency, violations of the statewide nonessential-water-use ban are summary offenses under 4 Pa. Code Chapter 119 and the Emergency Management Services Code (35 Pa.C.S. Section 7707), enforceable by law enforcement. Outside an emergency, LCA conservation requests are generally voluntary unless LCA imposes contractual or tariff-based restrictions on its customers.

Weed Ordinances

Allentown defines weeds broadly as rank vegetable growth (grass, ragweed, dandelion, brush, and similar vegetation) that emits unpleasant or noxious odors or pollen, conceals filthy deposits, or harbors mosquitoes, insects, or vermin. Under Chapter 393 (Neighborhood Improvement), property owners may not allow weeds to exceed 10 inches in height and have an affirmative duty to cut them; the City may abate after one annual notice.

Key details: Code Section: Chapter 393 (Neighborhood Improvement) - Weeds. Weed definition: Rank growth: grass, ragweed, dandelion, brush, etc.. Height limit: 10 inches. Owner duty: Cut weeds to prevent overgrowth. City abatement: Allowed after one annual notice; cost billed to owner.

Maintaining weeds taller than 10 inches is a Chapter 393 violation. After a single annual notice, the City or its contractors may cut the weeds and assess the cost (plus administrative fees) against the property owner; unpaid amounts can be filed as a municipal claim or lien. Repeat or aggravated conditions can be cited under the Property Maintenance Code.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Allentown actively enforces its weed ordinances requirements.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Allentown regulates tree removal on private property through permits and size thresholds. Street trees are city-managed and cannot be removed by residents.

Key details: Permit Threshold: 6 to 12 inch trunk diameter. Street Trees: City-managed only. Replacement: Required for removed trees. Hazardous Trees: Expedited process.

Unauthorized removal: $500 to $10,000 per tree. Replacement planting required. Street tree damage: city restitution costs.

Artificial Turf

Allentown generally permits artificial turf installation with some requirements for drainage, appearance, and base preparation.

Key details: Permits: Usually not required. Drainage: Proper base required. HOA: Cannot ban in many states. Heat: Can reach 150F+ in sun.

Generally no penalties for installation. Non-compliant drainage may require correction. HOA fines may be unenforceable where state law protects turf rights.

The rules around artificial turf in Allentown lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Native Plants

Allentown may encourage or require native and drought-tolerant landscaping. Some areas restrict traditional grass lawns in favor of water-efficient alternatives.

Key details: Xeriscaping: Encouraged or required. HOA: Cannot ban in many states. Rebates: May be available. Invasive Species: Removal may be required.

Varies by jurisdiction. HOA fines for non-compliance may be unenforceable if state law protects xeriscaping rights.

The rules around native plants in Allentown lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Rainwater Harvesting

Allentown allows residential rainwater harvesting. Pennsylvania has no significant state-level restrictions on rainwater collection for personal use.

Key details: Restrictions: None for residential use. Permits: Large systems may need one. Potable Use: Treatment system required. Topic: Rainwater Harvesting.

No penalties for standard residential collection. Large cistern installations without building permit: standard building code violation $100 to $500.

The rules around rainwater harvesting in Allentown lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Allentown's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Allentown is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Allentown can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.