Landscaping Rules in Newport News, VA

If you live in Newport News or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Newport News has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing, cutting, girdling or otherwise destroying a tree, shrub or other planting on Newport News city property takes a written permit from the parks and recreation director, or from the department of engineering when the work is inside a city right-of-way. City Code Sec. 40-3.3 sets the rule; skip the permit and the removal is a Class 1 misdemeanor, charged separately for every tree involved.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 40-3.3(a)-(c). City-property permit issuer: Director of Parks and Recreation. Right-of-way permit issuer: Department of Engineering. Violation class: Class 1 misdemeanor, Sec. 40.3-8. Per-tree violations: Each tree removed is a separate offense.

Removing, cutting, girdling or otherwise damaging a tree, shrub, landscape planting or other city-property vegetation without the required permit is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Section 40.3-8, and the section counts violations tree by tree: destroying three unpermitted trees in the same job is three separate Class 1 misdemeanor violations, not one. Section 40.3-7's conflict rule also applies, so a stricter removal standard in another local ordinance overrides Section 40-3.3 where the two conflict.

Tree Trimming

Any utility company trimming a tree, shrub or other planting on Newport News city property, including street trees and rights-of-way, needs a written permit from the parks and recreation director first. City Code Sec. 40.3-4 covers electric, telephone, telegraph and cable TV companies specifically; trimming without a permit is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with each tree counted as a separate offense.

Key details: Governing chapter: Newport News City Code Ch. 40.3. Permit issuer: Director of Parks and Recreation. Regulated trimmers: Electric, phone, telegraph, cable TV companies. Violation class: Class 1 misdemeanor per Sec. 40.3-8. Per-tree violations: Each tree trimmed is a separate offense.

Trimming a tree, shrub, landscape planting or other vegetation on city property without the director's permit is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Section 40.3-8, the most serious misdemeanor classification the chapter allows. That section also multiplies exposure: if the prohibited trimming affects more than one tree, shrub, landscape planting or other piece of vegetation, a separate violation is deemed to have occurred for each one, so an unpermitted line-clearing pass through several city trees can generate multiple counts rather than one.

Water Restrictions

Once Newport News declares a Stage 2 drought warning, watering lawns, shrubbery, trees, or other vegetation with city water is restricted to the hours between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m., unless you use recycled water, an alternate source, or a hand-held container of three gallons or less.

Key details: Trigger: Stage 2 drought warning declared. Restricted hours: 8:00 p.m.–10:00 a.m.. Exempt: Recycled water, hand-held ≤3 gal. Escalates to mandatory: Stage 3 drought emergency. Repeat-offense fine: Up to $250 plus suspension.

Stage 2 restrictions are voluntary with no fine; once elevated to a Stage 3 drought emergency, violations draw a written warning, then $50, $100, and $250 fines plus water service suspension for repeat offenses under section 42-96(d).

Weed Ordinances

Newport News caps grass and weeds at ten inches within 150 feet of any building under section 13-150(a), and treats anything over fifteen inches anywhere on the lot as a presumed violation. Ignore a mailed notice and the city cuts it, then bills the owner $150 in administrative costs plus the actual cost of the work.

Key details: Height limit near buildings: 10 inches within 150 ft. Presumed violation anywhere: over 15 inches. City cutting admin fee: $150 plus actual cost. Civil penalty, first summons: $100. Civil penalty, repeat summons: $150 each.

Violations of section 13-150 are civil, not criminal, under section 13-2(d)-(e): a $100 penalty for the initial summons, $150 for each additional one, with a $3,000 cap per set of facts and each day of continued violation counted separately. On top of any penalty, the city can cut the lot itself and charge the owner the actual cost plus a $150 administrative fee, collectible as a lien on the property's tax bill.

The Bottom Line

Newport News'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 Newport News is broadly strict or permissive.

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