Landscaping Rules in Philadelphia, PA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Philadelphia or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Philadelphia has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Native Plants

Philadelphia promotes native plant use through its Green City, Clean Waters stormwater program. Rain gardens installed through PWD programs use native species of shrubs, perennials, ferns, and trees. The zoning code §14-705 requires landscape plans for development sites, and PWD stormwater regulations favor vegetation that supports infiltration.

Key details: Rain Gardens: Use robust native species per PWD guidelines. Program: Green City, Clean Waters / Rain Check. Zoning: §14-705 landscape plans for development. Mandate: No native-only planting requirement. Support: Native plants encouraged for stormwater.

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

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Philadelphia gives residents more flexibility on native plants.

Tree Trimming

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation has exclusive control of all street trees under Philadelphia Code Section 15-203. A private owner may trim, prune, or remove the street tree abutting their property only after obtaining a permit from the Department, and any contractor doing tree work must hold a Department permit, sign an indemnification agreement, and carry liability insurance. Violations carry a minimum fine of $300 per day.

Key details: Code Section: Philadelphia Code Sec. 15-203 (Street Trees). Permitting authority: Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Street Tree Management Division. Permit required to: Prune, cut down, or remove any street tree. Contractor requirements: Permit + indemnification agreement + liability insurance. Minimum fine: $300 per day, each day a separate offense.

Under Section 501 of the Parks & Recreation regulations, unauthorized pruning, cutting, or removal of a street tree is enforced by a notice of violation or code violation notice issued by a police officer, Fairmount Park Ranger, or other authorized officer. The penalty for violation of any provision is a minimum fine of $300 per day, with each day a separate offense; unpaid fines are entered as a judgment and may lead to contempt proceedings. Where these penalties conflict with other Philadelphia Code penalties, the stricter provision controls.

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

Water Restrictions

Philadelphia has no permanent calendar or odd/even lawn-watering schedule. Outdoor irrigation is generally unrestricted, but during a Commonwealth drought emergency the Governor of Pennsylvania may prohibit watering lawns, gardens, shrubs, washing vehicles, and filling pools, as the City's Office of Emergency Management explains.

Key details: Permanent watering schedule: None in Philadelphia. Restriction trigger: PA Governor's drought declaration. City publisher: Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. Emergency lawn watering: Prohibited (except new seed/sod 5 p.m.-9 a.m. by hand). Water utility: Philadelphia Water Department (Delaware & Schuylkill Rivers).

During a Drought Watch or Warning the conservation measures are voluntary. When the Governor declares a Drought Emergency, non-essential water-use prohibitions become mandatory statewide and are enforceable under the Commonwealth's emergency-management and water-rationing authority; penalties are set by the emergency declaration rather than a permanent Philadelphia ordinance.

Grass Height Limits

Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code Section PM-302.4 requires every premises and exterior property to be kept free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches. Because the code defines weeds to include all grasses, overgrown lawns above 10 inches are a violation enforced by the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Key details: Code Section: Philadelphia PM Code Sec. PM-302.4 (Weeds). Height limit: 10 inches (includes all grasses). Enacting ordinance: Bill No. 140856 (Subcode PM, eff. Jan. 1, 2015). Enforcing agency: Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). Exemptions: Trees, shrubs, cultivated flowers and gardens.

Upon failure of the owner or agent to cut and destroy the weeds or overgrowth after service of a notice of violation, the owner is subject to prosecution under Subcode A (The Philadelphia Administrative Code). If the owner still does not comply, any authorized City employee or contractor may enter the property, cut and destroy the growth, and the cost of removal is charged back to the owner or responsible agent.

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

Weed Ordinances

Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code Section PM-302.4 bars weeds or plant growth over 10 inches and prohibits all noxious weeds. After a Notice of Violation, an owner who fails to cut and destroy the weeds is subject to prosecution, and the City may enter the property, remove the weeds, and charge the cost to the owner.

Key details: Code Section: Philadelphia PM Code Sec. PM-302.4 (Weeds). Limit: No weeds/plant growth over 10 inches; noxious weeds banned. Definition of weeds: All grasses, annual plants, and vegetation (not trees/shrubs/gardens). Prosecution basis: Subcode A, The Philadelphia Administrative Code. City abatement: City cuts weeds and charges cost to owner.

Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of a notice of violation, they are subject to prosecution in accordance with Subcode A (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. Upon continued failure to comply, any duly authorized City employee or contractor may enter the property and cut and destroy the weeds, with the cost of removal paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property.

Compared to other cities, Philadelphia takes a harder line on weed ordinances. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Under Philadelphia Code Section 14-705(1)(e), heritage trees on a development lot may not be removed unless the applicant replaces them per the tree-replacement standards or obtains a Zoning Board special exception. Healthy trees 2.5-inch DBH or larger removed during development generally must be replaced so the total caliper of replacements equals the total caliper removed.

Key details: Code Section: Philadelphia Code Sec. 14-705(1)(e)-(f) (Heritage Trees / Tree Replacement). Heritage tree removal: Needs replacement or Zoning Board special exception. Replacement trigger: Healthy trees 2.5-inch DBH or larger removed by development. Replacement standard: Total replacement caliper >= total caliper removed. Arborist exemptions: Dead, damaged, diseased, undesirable, or dangerous trees.

A zoning permit application that proposes to remove protected or heritage trees without meeting the replacement, exemption, or special-exception requirements will not receive the Planning Commission's prerequisite approval and cannot be issued by L&I. Preserved trees for which credit was awarded that are lost to damage or disease within two years must be replaced by the land owner with the trees otherwise required.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Philadelphia actively enforces its tree removal & heritage trees requirements.

Rainwater Harvesting

Philadelphia actively promotes rainwater harvesting through the Green City, Clean Waters program and the PWD Rain Check program. Free 55-gallon rain barrels are available to residents. The city's stormwater regulations under Phila. Code §14-704(3) encourage green infrastructure including rain gardens and rainwater collection for non-potable uses.

Key details: Rain Barrels: Free 55-gallon barrels via Rain Check program. Program: Green City, Clean Waters (25-year plan). Stormwater Code: §14-704(3). Uses: Non-potable: irrigation, toilet flushing. Incentive: Stormwater fee credits available.

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

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

Artificial Turf

Philadelphia does not have a specific ordinance regulating residential artificial turf installation. Artificial turf is not addressed in the zoning code or property maintenance code. However, it does not qualify for PWD stormwater credits since it is impervious, and properties with significant impervious coverage may face higher stormwater fees.

Key details: Local Regulation: No specific artificial turf ordinance. Stormwater Impact: Counted as impervious surface. PWD Credits: Not eligible for stormwater fee credits. Zoning: No prohibition in residential zones.

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 Philadelphia lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Philadelphia is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Philadelphia, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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