Scranton's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Scranton, Pennsylvania, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Tree Trimming

Tree trimming in the City of Scranton is governed by Chapter 434 (Trees and Weeds), Article I (Trees) (https://ecode360.com/11608793) and Chapter 358 (Shade Tree Commission, https://ecode360.com/11603607). The ordinance applies to street, highway, lane, alley, and avenue trees within the public right-of-way and to trees on public parks and other City-owned grounds. It is unlawful to top any tree (severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than 5 inches in diameter) as a normal practice without permission of the Shade Tree Commission or City Forester. Routine trimming of a wholly private tree typically does not require a City permit; pruning of right-of-way and street trees does.

Key details: Trees Chapter: Chapter 434 Art. I + Chapter 358 (Shade Tree Commission). Topping Definition: Cuts to stubs over 5 inches in diameter. Approval Authority: Scranton Shade Tree Commission or City Forester. Scope: Right-of-way trees and trees on City-owned grounds. Maximum Fine: $250 per violation (Section 1-16).

Chapter 434 Article I violations are punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 per violation under Section 1-16 (General Penalty) of the City Code. Each tree improperly topped or trimmed may be charged as a separate offense. Damage to a Shade-Tree-Commission-managed street tree may trigger restitution for the appraised tree value using ISA tree-appraisal methodology in addition to the per-violation fine. Improper self-help trimming that damages a neighbor's private tree exposes the trimmer to civil liability under Pennsylvania common law for trespass to chattels and waste.

Weed Ordinances

Weed control in the City of Scranton operates on two tiers. Locally, Chapter 360 (Property Maintenance) Article II caps weeds and plant growth at 8 inches and prohibits all noxious weeds; Chapter 434 Article IV (Weeds) specifically targets Canada thistles, ragweed, burdocks, any senecio species, and rank vegetable growth, with a 10-day notice procedure and Section 1-16 penalties. Statewide, Pennsylvania's Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Act (3 Pa.C.S. Chapter 12, replacing 3 P.S. § 255.1 et seq.) and 7 Pa. Code § 110.1 list noxious weeds including multiflora rose, Canada thistle, Johnson grass, musk thistle, bull thistle, and giant hogweed.

Key details: Local Height Standard: 8 inches (Chapter 360 Art. II). Species-Specific Article: Chapter 434 Art. IV (10-day notice). State Noxious Weed Law: 3 Pa.C.S. Chapter 12 + 7 Pa. Code § 110.1. Pesticide Certification: 3 Pa.C.S. § 6701 et seq. (PA Pesticide Control Act). Listed Noxious Species: Canada thistle, multiflora rose, Japanese knotweed, kudzu, others.

Failure to abate untended weeds after 10 days' notice under Chapter 434 Article IV subjects the owner to penalties under Section 1-16 (up to $250). Failure to comply with the Chapter 360 IPMC 8-inch standard carries the same Section 1-16 penalty. The City may perform the work and assess costs as a municipal lien. Distribution, sale, or intentional propagation of a 7 Pa. Code § 110.1 noxious weed can subject the actor to PA Department of Agriculture civil penalties of up to $500 per violation, with daily continuing-violation authority. Unlicensed commercial pesticide application violates the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act and is subject to separate state enforcement.

Water Restrictions

Scranton residents are served by Pennsylvania American Water, the regulated investor-owned utility under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. The City of Scranton does not impose year-round watering days. Restrictions are triggered by Pennsylvania American Water's PUC-approved drought contingency plan or by a Governor-declared drought emergency under the Emergency Management Services Code (35 Pa.C.S.) implemented through 4 Pa. Code Chapter 119 (Prohibition of Nonessential Water Uses) and Chapter 118 (Reductions of Major Water Use). The PA DEP Drought Task Force coordinates the four-stage advisory framework: Normal, Drought Watch, Drought Warning, Drought Emergency.

Key details: Utility: Pennsylvania American Water (PUC-regulated). City-Imposed Restrictions: None year-round. State Framework: 4 Pa. Code Ch. 119 (Nonessential Use Prohibition). DEP Stages: Watch / Warning / Emergency (mandatory at Emergency). Underlying Statute: Emergency Management Services Code (35 Pa.C.S.).

Violation of a Governor-declared drought emergency under 4 Pa. Code Chapter 119 is a summary offense under 35 Pa.C.S. § 7501 et seq., punishable by a fine of up to $300 and/or up to 90 days' imprisonment, with each day a separate offense. Pennsylvania American Water can suspend or terminate service to nonresidential customers violating mandatory restrictions, subject to PUC Chapter 56 (52 Pa. Code Ch. 56) due-process protections for residential customers. Susquehanna River Basin Commission violations carry civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation per day under SRBC enforcement rules. Essential uses (firefighting, public health, construction-site dust control consistent with state guidance) typically remain exempt.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Tree removal in the City of Scranton is governed by Chapter 434, Article I (Trees) (https://ecode360.com/11608793) and Chapter 358 (Shade Tree Commission) (https://ecode360.com/11603607). It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or city department to remove any tree in the right-of-way or on City-owned grounds without first obtaining permission from the Shade Tree Commission and/or City Forester. The Shade Tree Commission or City Forester may order removal of trees that are in unsafe condition or are injurious to sewers, sidewalks, electric power lines, gas lines, water lines, or other public improvements. Routine removal of a private residential tree generally does not require a City permit.

Key details: Controlling Chapter: Chapter 434 Art. I + Chapter 358. Permit Required For: Trees in right-of-way or on City-owned grounds. Approval Authority: Shade Tree Commission or City Forester. Private Lot Removal: Generally no City permit if outside right-of-way. Maximum Local Fine: $250 per violation (Section 1-16).

Removing a right-of-way or City-owned tree without Shade Tree Commission or City Forester permission violates Chapter 434 Article I, subject to a fine of up to $250 per violation under Section 1-16. Each tree improperly removed may be charged as a separate offense. The City may additionally seek restitution for the appraised value of the lost tree using ISA tree-appraisal methodology, which for a mature shade tree can range from $1,000 to $20,000 depending on species, condition, and location. Large-scale unauthorized clearing during land development may trigger PA DEP NPDES stormwater enforcement under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 (civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation).

Native Plants

The City of Scranton does not mandate native-plant landscaping on residential property. Native and pollinator-friendly planting is encouraged through the Shade Tree Commission, City Forester, and grants administered by the Pennsylvania DCNR Urban and Community Forestry program (formerly TreeVitalize) and TreePennsylvania (the PA Environmental Justice Forests program awarded Scranton $30,000 for 250 bare-root trees). The Chapter 360 Property Maintenance Code's 8-inch height standard exempts cultivated flowers, gardens, trees, and shrubs, providing a clear path for maintained native or pollinator plantings. PA Right to Farm Act (3 P.S. § 951-957) protects agricultural operations in agricultural security areas.

Key details: Residential Mandate: None - voluntary. Property Maintenance Exemption: Cultivated flowers, gardens, trees, shrubs. Local Resource: Scranton Shade Tree Commission + City Forester. State Funding: PA DCNR Urban and Community Forestry / TreePennsylvania EJ Forests. Awarded to Scranton: $30,000 + $7,500 site prep (250 bare-root trees).

The City of Scranton imposes no penalty on homeowners for choosing non-native landscaping. A neglected lot may still be cited under Chapter 360 Article II for vegetation over 8 inches, but the Code's exemption for cultivated flowers, gardens, trees, and shrubs protects documented native-garden plantings. Outside the city, the PA Right to Farm Act (3 P.S. § 951 et seq.) limits unreasonable local restrictions on normal agricultural operations within agricultural security areas. Unlicensed commercial pesticide application by non-native-removal contractors is independently regulated under the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act (3 Pa.C.S. § 6701 et seq.) and enforced by the PA Department of Agriculture.

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

Composting

Backyard composting in the City of Scranton is permitted; the City does not require a permit for a residential compost bin. The City operates a yard-waste collection program through its Department of Public Works for grass clippings, leaves, and brush, separate from regular trash. Improper composting that becomes a vermin or odor nuisance is reachable under Chapter 360 (Property Maintenance). Statewide, the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act (35 P.S. § 6018.101 et seq.) and 25 Pa. Code Chapter 271 govern composting facilities; small backyard composting is exempt from facility permitting. Open burning of yard waste is restricted under 25 Pa. Code § 129.14 and local fire-code provisions.

Key details: Backyard Compost Permit: Not required for residential bin. Yard Waste Collection: City of Scranton DPW seasonal routes. Nuisance Backstop: Chapter 360 (Property Maintenance). State Composting Reg: 25 Pa. Code Ch. 271 (residential exempt under § 271.103). Recycling Mandate: PA Act 101 (53 P.S. § 4000.101 et seq.).

Improper composting that creates a documented vermin, odor, or runoff nuisance is enforceable under Chapter 360 (Property Maintenance) with notice-and-cure procedure and Section 1-16 General Penalty (up to $250) plus City-performed abatement and cost recovery as a municipal lien. Disposal of yard waste in regular curbside trash bound for a landfill, instead of the dedicated yard-waste stream, conflicts with the City's collection rules and 25 Pa. Code Chapter 272 (source-separated recyclables under Act 101). Open burning of yard waste outside narrow exceptions violates 25 Pa. Code § 129.14 and local fire code with PA DEP civil penalties.

Scranton is more permissive than most cities when it comes to composting. That said, there are still limits.

Grass Height Limits

Grass and weed height in the City of Scranton is regulated under Chapter 360 (Property Maintenance), Article II (Rules and Regulations), which adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, 2015 Edition (https://ecode360.com/29522618). All premises and exterior property must be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 8 inches; all noxious weeds are prohibited. Cultivated flowers, gardens, trees, and shrubs are exempt. A separate weed-cutting article (Chapter 434, Article IV - Weeds, https://ecode360.com/11608837) imposes a 10-day notice procedure before penalty under Section 1-16. Enforcement is by the City of Scranton Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits.

Key details: Controlling Chapter: Chapter 360 (Property Maintenance) + Chapter 434 Art. IV. Weed Height Threshold: Over 8 inches (IPMC 2015). Enforcement: City of Scranton Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits. Notice Window (Ch. 434): 10 days before prosecution. Penalty Cap: Section 1-16 General Penalty (up to $250).

Section 1-16 of the City Code (General Penalty) caps fines at $250 per violation; under Chapter 360 Article II and the adopted IPMC, each day a violation continues may be charged as a separate offense. Failure to abate weeds after the 10-day Chapter 434 Article IV notice subjects the owner to prosecution before the District Justice under Section 1-16. The City may also perform abatement (cutting/mowing) and bill the cost to the owner, with unpaid amounts collectible as a municipal lien under the Pennsylvania Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, 53 P.S. § 7101 et seq.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Scranton gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 2 of the 7 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.

Keep in mind that Scranton can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.