Landscaping Rules in Clarksville, TN: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Clarksville or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Clarksville has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Weed Ordinances

Clarksville enforces weed abatement under TN Code §6-54-113. Overgrown properties subject to city abatement at owner’s expense.

Key details: State Law: TN Code §6-54-113. Enforcement: City code compliance. Cost: Owner pays abatement. Growing Season: Year-round concern.

Notice to abate. City clears at owner’s expense ($200 to $1,000+). Administrative fee + property lien.

Tree Trimming

Clarksville requires property owners to maintain trees that overhang public rights-of-way with minimum clearance over sidewalks and streets. Dead or hazardous trees must be addressed promptly.

Key details: Sidewalk Clearance: 8 feet minimum. Street Clearance: 14 feet minimum. Private Trees: Owner's responsibility. Public Trees: City Street Department.

Failure to maintain clearances results in code enforcement notices. The city may trim overhanging branches at the owner's expense.

Grass Height Limits

Clarksville requires yards to be maintained with grass and weeds kept below a maximum height (typically 8-12 inches). The Code Enforcement division actively enforces property maintenance standards throughout the city.

Key details: Maximum Height: Typically 8–12 inches. Enforcement: Code Enforcement division. Compliance Period: Set by violation notice. Abatement: City may mow and bill owner.

Violation notices give a compliance deadline. The city may perform abatement and bill the property owner for costs plus administrative fees. Liens may be placed on properties with unpaid abatement costs.

Water Restrictions

Clarksville does not typically impose mandatory water restrictions due to adequate water supply from the Cumberland River. Voluntary conservation is encouraged during drought conditions. Clarksville Gas and Water manages the public water system.

Key details: Water Supply: Cumberland River. Mandatory Restrictions: Rare; drought-only. Conservation: Voluntary encouraged. Provider: Clarksville Gas and Water.

During any mandatory restriction periods, violations may result in warnings and fines. Normal conditions involve voluntary conservation.

Clarksville is more permissive than most cities when it comes to water restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Clarksville does not generally require a permit to remove trees on private residential property. Trees in the public right-of-way require city authorization. Tennessee does not have a statewide tree preservation ordinance.

Key details: Private Trees: No permit generally required. Public Trees: City authorization required. State Law: No statewide tree preservation. HOA: May restrict removal.

Unauthorized removal of city trees results in fines and replacement costs. Subdivision covenant violations are enforced through HOA processes.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Clarksville gives residents more flexibility on tree removal & heritage trees.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Clarksville gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 2 of the 5 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.

These rules come from Clarksville's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.