How South Jordan Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide
South Jordan maintains 107 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where South Jordan falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Tree Trimming
South Jordan requires property owners to prune park-strip trees to keep sidewalks and roads clear, with set minimum clearance heights.
Key details: Sidewalk clearance: 7 feet minimum. Road clearance: 13 feet minimum. Who is responsible: Abutting property owner. Penalty: Class C misdemeanor.
Violating any provision of Chapter 12.24, including the clearance duty, is a Class C misdemeanor under § 12.24.100, and the City can seek civil abatement or injunctive relief.
Water Restrictions
South Jordan can order mandatory outdoor watering restrictions during a declared water shortage. Phase III bars outdoor watering and vehicle washing, Phase IV adds pools, fountains and sprinklers, with escalating $100 and $500 fines for violators.
Key details: Trigger: city-declared water shortage phase. Phase III bars: outdoor watering, vehicle washing. Phase IV adds: pools, fountains, sprinklers. First fine: $100, then $500 every 15 days.
A Phase III or IV violation draws a written notice; if uncorrected after 15 days it's a $100 fine, escalating to $500, with additional $500 fines every 15 days the violation continues.
This is one of the stricter rules in South Jordan's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
South Jordan's Tree Stewardship Ordinance bars anyone from damaging, paving too close to, or piling material against a city-owned tree in parks and street park strips.
Key details: Citation: South Jordan City Code § 12.24.060. Administered by: City Urban Forester. Sidewalk buffer: 18 inches from tree. Penalty: Class C misdemeanor, § 12.24.100.
Damaging a City tree, pouring injurious matter on it, piling material against it, fastening wires or signs to it, or building too close to its roots, violates § 12.24.060 and can bring a Class C misdemeanor charge under § 12.24.100.
Native Plants
South Jordan caps new lawn at 250 square feet or 35% of the landscaped area and requires Localscapes-style planting beds with regionally adapted plants instead of turf in most yards.
Key details: Lawn cap: 250 sq ft or 35% of yard. Living plant cover: 50% required at maturity. Mulch depth: 3-4 inches in planting beds. Applies to: front and side yards citywide.
The code sets no specific fine schedule for this chapter; noncompliant landscape plans are rejected at review, and the City Engineer may grant exceptions only for public utility infrastructure areas showing good cause.
Weed Ordinances
South Jordan property owners can't let weeds grow past six inches, and poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac are banned outright at any height.
Key details: Height limit: 6 inches. Poison plants: Banned at any height. Notice period: At least 10 days to comply. Penalty: Class C misdemeanor.
Failing to control weeds within the time set in a formal notice of violation is a class C misdemeanor under § 8.20.080, and the city may also seek an injunction or remove the weeds itself and bill the owner under §§ 8.20.090 and 8.20.100.
The Bottom Line
South Jordan'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 South Jordan is broadly strict or permissive.
This guide is based on South Jordan's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.