How Roswell Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Roswell maintains 77 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 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.

Water Restrictions

Under Georgia's Water Stewardship Act (permanent law, not a drought response), outdoor watering for planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants is allowed only between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. Hand-watering and drip/soaker irrigation are exempt and allowed 24 hours.

Key details: Authority: Ga. Water Stewardship Act (O.C.G.A. §12-5-7). Default Window: 4 p.m. - 10 a.m.. Hand Watering: Allowed 24 hours. Drip/Soaker: Allowed 24 hours. Report Violation: 770-641-3715 (business hrs).

First-offense warnings are typical; subsequent violations carry escalating Roswell Water Utility civil fines that can reach hundreds of dollars per offense under O.C.G.A. §12-5-7 and the city's general penalty clause. Repeat commercial violations can result in service interruption.

Grass Height Limits

Roswell's property maintenance ordinance requires all property to be kept free of junk, litter, refuse, and overgrowth. Tall grass and weeds are enforced as a nuisance under §8.8.3 and as a property-maintenance violation by Code Enforcement.

Key details: Code: Roswell property-maintenance code + §8.8.3. Standard: No overgrowth; clean and sanitary. Practical Threshold: ~12 in / 1 ft. Cure Period: 10-14 days typical. Code Enforcement: 770-594-6101.

Failure to mow after a notice of violation triggers Municipal Court citation with fines up to $1,000 per day. The city can also abate at owner expense and place a lien for the cleanup cost plus an administrative fee.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Roswell UDC §12.1 requires a tree removal permit before removing, poisoning, damaging, trimming, or transplanting any tree with a 3-inch trunk diameter at breast height (DBH) on residential property. Removal without a permit triggers a $1,000-per-tree penalty.

Key details: Code: Roswell UDC Art. 12, §12.1. Permit Threshold: 3 inches DBH. Specimen Trees: Special protection + Tree Bank contribution. Penalty (no permit): $1,000 per tree. Contact: City Landscape Architect (770) 594-6293.

Removing a regulated tree without a permit results in an automatic $1,000-per-tree penalty plus possible replacement requirements (replanting on-site or paying into the Tree Bank at the market value of removed canopy). Repeat violations can be referred to Municipal Court for higher fines.

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.

Tree Trimming

Under UDC §12.1, trimming a regulated tree (3 inches DBH or larger) requires a permit just as removal does. Heavy pruning that compromises tree health is treated as removal and triggers the $1,000-per-tree penalty if unpermitted.

Key details: Code: Roswell UDC §12.1. Threshold: 3 in DBH, 15 ft mature. Heavy Pruning: Permit required. Topping: Strongly discouraged. Penalty: $1,000 per tree if treated as removal.

Unpermitted heavy pruning of a regulated tree can be treated as removal and trigger the $1,000-per-tree penalty plus replacement obligations. Topping (an arboriculturally damaging practice) is specifically discouraged.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Roswell actively enforces its tree trimming requirements.

The Bottom Line

Roswell is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 4 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.