Annapolis's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Annapolis, Maryland, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Water Restrictions

Once the Mayor declares a water emergency, lawn and garden watering in Annapolis is limited to even/odd days matching your street's address number, and an extreme emergency bans it outright.

Key details: Trigger: Mayor's declared water emergency only. Normal emergency: Even/odd address-number watering days. Extreme emergency: All landscape watering banned. First offense: Police warning, not a fine. Legal basis: Annapolis City Code Ch. 16.12.

First violation draws a police warning; the Police Department logs it, and a further violation can bring the penalty set in Chapter 1.20 of the general penalty provisions.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Annapolis requires developers who remove trees to replant them on a size-based ratio table, or pay a fee-in-lieu of $1,250 per tree outside the Critical Area when on-site planting isn't practical.

Key details: Governing section: Annapolis City Code § 17.09.070. Fee-in-lieu, outside Critical Area: $1,250 per tree. Small tree ratio (4–12in DBH): 1 replacement per 2 removed. Large tree ratio (>24in DBH): 3 replacements per 1 removed. Enforcing agency: Dept. of Planning and Zoning.

Violating Chapter 17.09 is a municipal infraction under § 17.09.140; each unapproved tree removal is a separate violation, and each day it goes unmitigated counts as another.

Weed Ordinances

Annapolis caps grass, weeds, and other rank vegetation at one foot on any lot within the city, with exceptions for agricultural land, natural wooded areas, and parcels over three acres left in a natural state.

Key details: Max height: 1 foot for grass and weeds. Enforcer: Director of Planning and Zoning. Notice window: 5 days to start, 10 to finish. If uncorrected: City abates and bills as lien. Penalty: Municipal infraction fine.

Violating the one-foot height limit is a municipal infraction with a fine set by City Council resolution; unpaid abatement costs become a lien collected with property taxes.

Tree Trimming

Annapolis requires trees near public streets and sidewalks to be pruned for a 10-foot clearance over sidewalks and 12 feet over streets, rising to 15 feet on truck routes, enforced by the Department of Planning and Zoning.

Key details: Sidewalk clearance: 10 feet minimum. Street clearance: 12 feet minimum. Truck-route clearance: up to 15 feet. Enforcing agency: Department of Planning and Zoning. Penalty: municipal infraction fine by resolution.

Failing to maintain the required sidewalk or street clearance, or topping a tree without department approval, is a municipal infraction punishable by a fine set by City Council resolution under § 14.12.150(E).

The Bottom Line

Annapolis'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 Annapolis is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Annapolis's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.