Apex's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Apex, North Carolina, there are 8 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.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Apex does not regulate removal of trees on private single-family lots that are not within a Resource Conservation Area, required landscape area, or buffer yard. Removal of trees on development sites, in RCAs, in required landscape material, or designated for retention requires Town review under Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Article 8. NCGS 160D-921 preempts local tree-removal ordinances on present-use-value forestland and forester-managed forests, narrowing town authority over routine private-lot removals.

Key details: Authority: Apex UDO Article 8 (General Development Standards). Trigger: RCAs, buffer yards, required landscape material, retention conditions. Site & Tree Survey: Required at development application. State Preemption: NCGS 160D-921 — present-use forestland / forester-managed. 3-Year Permit Bar: NCGS 160D-921(c) post-harvest building-permit denial.

Removing trees protected under an approved development plan, RCA designation, buffer yard, or required landscape material is a UDO violation enforced by the Planning Department and Code Enforcement, with civil penalties and replacement obligations imposed under UDO Article 8. Apex may deny a building permit or refuse a site or subdivision plan for up to three years after a non-compliant timber harvest under NCGS 160D-921(c). Trees removed on a neighbor's land without consent expose the actor to treble damages under NCGS 1-539.1.

Native Plants

Apex does not mandate native plants in private landscapes but actively promotes them. The Town's Plant the Peak program installs native trees on residential single-family properties at no cost to the owner and has installed over 500 native trees since 2021. The Apex Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Article 8 landscape and buffer requirements use approved plant lists that favor regionally adapted and native species suitable to North Carolina's Piedmont climate.

Key details: Mandatory Native Use: None on private lots. Town Program: Plant the Peak — 100% free native tree install. Trees Installed: 500+ since 2021; 234 offered in 2025. Advisory Body: Tree CAP (Tree Citizen Advisory Panel). Development Standard: UDO Art. 8 § 8.2 — approved plant list.

There are no penalties for using non-native plants in a private landscape in Apex. Failure to maintain required landscape material under UDO Article 8 in a commercial, multi-family, or buffer-yard context is a UDO violation enforced by Apex Planning & Community Development, with civil penalties and replanting obligations. HOA architectural-review violations are a private contract matter enforceable in Wake County District Court.

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

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Apex. North Carolina state law prohibits local governments from banning cisterns and rain barrels used for irrigation: NCGS 160A-202 provides that no city ordinance may prohibit, or have the effect of prohibiting, the installation and maintenance of cisterns and rain barrel collection systems used for irrigation purposes. NC Session Law 2009-243 amended the state plumbing code to allow cistern water for indoor toilet flushing and outdoor irrigation. Permits are required only for construction of non-potable water systems and plumbed connections.

Key details: Rain Barrels (Outdoor): Allowed — no Apex permit; protected by NCGS 160A-202. Plumbed Cisterns (Indoor): Plumbing permit required — Apex Inspections + NC Plumbing Code. State Authority: NCGS 160A-202; NC Session Law 2009-243. Design Standard: NCDEQ Stormwater Design Manual § C-7. Backflow Prevention: Required on any potable-water cross-connection.

There is no town penalty for installing a rain barrel for outdoor irrigation. Operating a plumbed cistern indoor-reuse system without the required plumbing permit is a building-code violation enforced by Apex Inspections under NCGS 160D-1110 with stop-work and after-the-fact permitting. Cross-connections that contaminate the public water supply trigger immediate disconnection and NCDEQ Public Water Supply Section enforcement.

Apex is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rainwater harvesting. That said, there are still limits.

Tree Trimming

Apex does not require a permit for routine pruning of trees on private residential property. Trees within the public right-of-way, town parks, and town-owned land are maintained by Town Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources. The Town is a designated Tree City USA community and operates a Tree Citizen Advisory Panel (TreeCAP) that advises the Town Council on tree programs, management, and regulations.

Key details: Private Pruning Permit: Not required. ROW / Town Trees: Maintained by Parks, Rec & Cultural Resources. Tree City USA: Apex — designated multiple consecutive years. Advisory Body: Tree CAP (Tree Citizen Advisory Panel). Common Law: Massachusetts Rule — trim to property line, no trespass / no kill.

Unauthorized pruning, damage, or removal of a town-owned tree or street tree may be prosecuted as injury to public property under Apex Code and NCGS, with restitution for tree value (often via ISA appraisal). Trespass and tree damage on a neighbor's land exposes the cutter to civil damages under NCGS 1-539.1, which allows treble damages for willful injury to timber, shade or ornamental trees of another.

The rules around tree trimming in Apex lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Artificial Turf

Apex does not have a code provision specifically prohibiting or permitting artificial turf in residential or commercial landscapes. Where landscape material is required under Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Article 8 — Section 8.2 (Landscaping, Buffering, and Screening), the standards generally require living plant material, so artificial turf typically cannot substitute for required landscape area, buffer yard plantings, or vehicle use area landscaping. On private single-family residential property outside required-landscape contexts, artificial turf is permitted subject to stormwater and impervious-surface rules.

Key details: Specific Ordinance: None — generally permitted on private SF lots. UDO Landscape Areas: Living plant material required (Art. 8 § 8.2). Stormwater Impact: Impermeable turf = impervious surface (Jordan Lake watershed). Built-Upon-Area Limits: Apply in Jordan Lake NSW + Watershed Protection Overlay. HOA Review: Common in Apex subdivisions; often requires ARC approval.

There is no specific town fine for installing artificial turf on a single-family lot. Substituting artificial turf for required UDO landscape material in a commercial, multi-family, or buffer context is a UDO Article 8 violation enforced by Planning & Community Development with replacement and civil penalty exposure. Exceeding built-upon-area limits via impermeable turf in the Jordan Lake watershed triggers Apex stormwater enforcement. HOA architectural-review violations are civil contract matters in Wake County District Court.

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

Water Restrictions

Apex enforces year-round irrigation restrictions on its water system, sourced from Jordan Lake through the jointly owned Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility (CAWTF) serving Apex, Cary, Morrisville, Wake County RTP, and RDU Airport. Lawn irrigation is allowed three days a week on an alternate-day schedule (odd addresses Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday; even Wednesday/Friday/Sunday). Mondays are no-irrigation days. Hand-held hose watering is allowed every day. Violations carry written notice for the first offense and up to $1,000 per day for subsequent violations.

Key details: Authority: Apex Water Conservation Ordinance (year-round). Schedule: 3 days/week; odd addresses Tue/Thu/Sat, even Wed/Fri/Sun. No-Water Day: Monday — no lawn irrigation system-wide. Hand-Held Hose: Allowed every day. Drip Irrigation: Exempt from schedule.

First violation: written notice issued by Apex Water Resources. Subsequent violations: up to $1,000 per violation per day. Repeat offenders may have automatic irrigation controllers disabled by the Town. Report violations to Water Resources at (919) 362-8166.

Compared to other cities, Apex takes a harder line on water restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Weed Ordinances

Apex Code Chapter 14 makes it unlawful to allow the uncontrolled growth of noxious weeds and grass, the accumulation of offensive animal or vegetable matter dangerous and prejudicial to public health, or any other condition constituting a public nuisance on premises within town limits. Apex does not maintain a separate prohibited-species list; enforcement is by Code Enforcement under the nuisance framework with cost-of-abatement liens.

Key details: Local Authority: Apex Code Ch. 14 (nuisance vegetation). State Authority: NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division — 2 NCAC 48A .1701. Prohibited-Species List: None published by Town; relies on nuisance standard. Enforcement: Apex Code Enforcement — Planning & Community Dev.. Cost Recovery: Lien on lot, enforceable as tax lien.

Violations are abated under the Apex Code Enforcement schedule with civil penalties that accrue daily for continued violation. The Town may abate at the owner's cost and assess the cost as a lien enforceable like an ad valorem tax lien against the property. Repeated violations may be referred to Wake County District Court under NCGS 160D enforcement provisions.

Grass Height Limits

The Town of Apex regulates uncontrolled weeds, grass and noxious growth as a public nuisance under Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions). Property owners must cut weeds, grass or other noxious growth from the lot at least twice each year — first not later than June 15 and second not later than August 15. Each day the growth remains uncut after those deadlines constitutes a separate offense.

Key details: Authority: Apex Code of Ordinances Ch. 14 (Offenses & Misc. Provisions). Required Cuts: Twice per year — by June 15 and by August 15. Per-Day Fine: $1.00 per day uncut after deadline. Abatement: Town mows + assesses cost as lien on property. Enforcement: Code Enforcement Officer / Chief of Police.

Upon conviction, the delinquent owner pays a fine of $1.00 for each day any weeds, grass or other noxious growth remains uncut, in addition to any civil penalties levied under the Code Enforcement schedule. If the owner refuses or fails to abate, the Town will mow the property and assess the cost as a lien against the lot enforceable like an ad valorem tax lien. Repeat violations escalate through Code Enforcement and may be referred to Wake County District Court.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Apex gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 4 of the 8 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on Apex's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.