How St. George Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide
St. George maintains 130 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 St. George falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Water Restrictions
St. George limits landscape irrigation to a seasonal day count, one day a week in winter up to three days a week in summer, and bans daytime watering with treated water from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each June through September.
Key details: Summer schedule: Up to 3 days a week. Winter schedule: Up to 1 day a week. Daytime ban: 10am-8pm, June 1 to Sept 1. Enforced by: Water Services Director. Applies to: New development and remodels, most zones.
Watering outside the seasonal schedule counts as water waste under title 8-1-12; the water services director can order corrections and, after notice and an uncured deadline, disconnect the water connection.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Anyone who damages or removes a street, park, or heritage tree without authorization must pay the city restitution based on ISA valuation, and the city then replaces the tree.
Key details: Governing section: City Code § 7-4-13. Valuation method: ISA Tree and Shrub Valuation Guidelines. Criminal penalty: Class B misdemeanor. Scope: Street, park, and heritage trees. Remedy: City replaces the tree after restitution.
Class B misdemeanor plus ISA-valuation restitution to the city; a licensed tree company that removes or damages a tree without written permission risks business license revocation under section 3-1-19.
Native Plants
St. George requires native or other water-conserving plants in residential landscaping and mandates water-conserving shade trees, while capping lawn area, under City Code section 10-23-3.
Key details: Front yard landscaped: 30% minimum required. Live vegetation share: at least half of that area. Lawn area cap: 8% of lot, capped 1,500 sq ft. Water-conserving trees: 2 minimum, 1.5" caliper. Native plants: required to promote conservation.
Owners who fail to install, maintain, replace or repair required landscaping and irrigation, or who modify an approved landscape plan without prior written city permission, are in violation under subsection H of section 10-23-3.
Weed Ordinances
St. George makes it unlawful to let grass or weeds grow past six inches on any property, with tighter road-and-dwelling setbacks on parcels over two acres.
Key details: Height limit: 6 inches (grass/weeds). Large-lot setback: 15 ft from road on 2+ acre lots. Zone exemptions: Agricultural, open space, gravel-grazing zones. Default penalty: Class B misdemeanor (§1-4-2).
Violating any part is unlawful and, absent a specified penalty, defaults to a class B misdemeanor under section 1-4-2; each day of continued overgrowth is a separate offense.
Tree Trimming
St. George requires owners to prune trees overhanging a street or sidewalk to keep 8 feet of clear space and to remove branches blocking street lamps or intersection sightlines.
Key details: Required clearance: 8 feet above street/sidewalk. Applies to: Trees overhanging street or right-of-way. Also required: Remove dead or hazardous limbs. Non-compliance: City may enter and prune after notice.
City forester issues written notice under section 7-4-3B; failure to comply lets the city enter the property and prune the tree at the owner's cost.
The Bottom Line
St. George'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 St. George is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects St. George'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.