Landscaping Rules in Roswell, GA

Roswell maintains 130 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Roswell falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Weed Ordinances

Roswell's blighted-property nuisance code caps weeds and grass at 10 inches on any property in the city; taller growth counts as blight and can trigger code enforcement action against the owner.

Key details: Height limit: 10 inches (weeds and grass). Governing section: Code of Ordinances § 8.8.2. Enforcement: Code enforcement officer, blighted-property finding. Applies to: Any property in Roswell.

An officer who finds grass or weeds over ten inches can classify the property as blighted and order abatement; refusal to correct the condition exposes the owner to further code enforcement action under the nuisance chapter.

Tree Trimming

Roswell, Georgia code enforcement can order removal of any tree, weed, or growth that overhangs or blocks a public street or sidewalk as a public nuisance.

Key details: Governing law: Roswell Code § 8.8.3(a)(1). Notice before city abates: 72 hours. Continuing violation cycle: New offense every 24 hours. Enforcement: Code enforcement officer, municipal court.

Each 24 hours a nuisance continues after notice is a separate offense; the city may abate the growth and lien the property for costs; penalty under Section 1.1.3's general penalty schedule.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Any tree in Roswell, Georgia at least 3 inches in trunk diameter that grows 15 feet or taller needs a Unified Development Code permit before it can be removed, damaged, trimmed, or transplanted.

Key details: Permit trigger: 3 in. DBH, 15 ft mature height. Covers: removal, poisoning, damage, trimming. Exempt activity still needs: permit application to prove exemption. Enforcement: UDC § 13.14.

Cutting, poisoning, damaging, or trimming a qualifying tree without the permit displayed on site is a violation enforced under UDC Sec. 13.14, separate from any specimen-tree mitigation fee owed.

This is one of the stricter rules in Roswell's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Water Restrictions

Roswell, Georgia limits outdoor watering of lawns, gardens, and landscaping to the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m., with an even/odd-day schedule the city can add during declared water emergencies.

Key details: Watering hours: 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. only. Emergency day system: Even/odd days by address. First violation fine: At least $300. Enforcing agency: Environmental/Public Works Department. Governing section: Code of Ordinances § 24.5.31.1.

A first violation draws a citation of at least $300; a second draws up to $750; a third can mean water service termination and a summons to Fulton County or Roswell municipal court.

Artificial Turf

Roswell's Unified Development Code bars artificial plants, trees, or turf from counting toward any landscaping or screening a site is required to provide.

Key details: Rule: No artificial turf as required landscaping. Section: UDC section 10.2.11.C.4. Applies to: All required landscaping & screening. Live-plant standard: Must survive on natural rainfall.

The Zoning Division checks required landscaping during site-plan and Certificate-of-Occupancy review; installing artificial turf or plants where the UDC requires living landscaping is a code violation that must be corrected with qualifying plant material before final sign-off.

Compared to other cities, Roswell takes a harder line on artificial turf. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Native Plants

Roswell excuses designated natural areas, undisturbed buffers, and pastures of an acre or more from its weed-and-undergrowth nuisance rule, letting owners keep land in a natural state.

Key details: Exempt land: Designated natural areas, buffers, setbacks. Pasture minimum: 1 acre or larger. Requirement: Retained in a natural state. Governing section: Code of Ordinances § 8.8.3(a)(3).

Land claimed as a natural area that isn't designated on an approved plan, or a pasture under one acre, doesn't qualify: code enforcement can still cite it as an ordinary weed nuisance.

Roswell is more permissive than most cities when it comes to native plants. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Roswell is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Roswell, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Roswell'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.