How Takoma Park Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Takoma Park maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Takoma Park falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Takoma Park Code Chapter 12 requires a permit to remove any tree 6 inches DBH or greater on private property -- one of the strictest thresholds in Maryland. Replacement plantings or Tree Fund payment required.

Key details: Permit Required: Trees 6 inches DBH or greater. City Code: Chapter 12 (Trees and Vegetation). Replacement: On-site replanting or Tree Fund payment. Review By: City arborist. Emergency Removal: Report within 48 hours.

Removing a tree without a permit: municipal infraction with fines up to $1,000 per tree. Required to plant replacement trees at 3:1 ratio or pay restitution into the Tree Fund. Repeat violations may result in enhanced penalties.

Compared to other cities, Takoma Park takes a harder line on tree removal & heritage trees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Grass Height Limits

Takoma Park enforces a 12-inch maximum grass and weed height under property maintenance standards. Native plant meadows and pollinator gardens are exempt when clearly maintained.

Key details: Maximum Height: 12 inches for grass and weeds. Enforcement: Complaint-based through Code Enforcement. Native Gardens: Exempt if clearly maintained. Abatement: City may mow and bill owner.

Property maintenance violation notice with compliance deadline. Failure to comply: city abatement with costs billed to property owner. Repeat violations may result in municipal infractions.

Native Plants

Takoma Park actively promotes native plant landscaping and pollinator gardens. The Safe Grow Act supports chemical-free gardening. Montgomery County RainScapes offers rebates for turf-to-native conversions.

Key details: City Policy: Actively promoted and encouraged. Safe Grow Act: Supports chemical-free native gardens. RainScapes Rebate: County rebates for native conversions. Sligo Creek: Native riparian restoration priority.

No penalties related to native plant use. Native plant gardens that appear unmaintained may receive property maintenance inquiries, but clearly intentional native plantings are supported by city policy.

The rules around native plants in Takoma Park lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Water Restrictions

WSSC Water serves Takoma Park and implements staged drought restrictions: odd/even watering schedules, then two-day limits, then full outdoor bans. The city promotes rain barrels and native plantings.

Key details: Water Provider: WSSC Water. Stage 1 Drought: Odd/even watering, time limits. Stage 2 Drought: Two days per week maximum. Stage 3 Drought: No non-essential outdoor use. Conservation: Rain barrels and native plants encouraged.

WSSC drought restriction violations: written warning for first offense, then fines up to $250 per day. Service may be restricted for repeat violations during severe drought.

Artificial Turf

Takoma Park does not ban artificial turf but does not encourage it. Large installations may require stormwater review as impervious surface. The city favors native plant alternatives.

Key details: Permitted: Not prohibited but not encouraged. Stormwater: May require review as impervious surface. City Preference: Native plants over synthetic turf. Safe Grow Act: Chemical-free lawns reduce turf motivation.

No specific artificial turf penalties. Installations creating stormwater drainage problems may require remediation. Impervious surface additions may trigger stormwater management requirements under county regulations.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Takoma Park. Maryland permits collection for non-potable use. The city has offered subsidized rain barrel programs to protect Sligo Creek.

Key details: Legal Status: Legal and encouraged. Permit Required: No permit for rain barrels. City Programs: Subsidized rain barrel distribution. Watershed: Sligo Creek stormwater benefit.

No penalties for rainwater collection. Systems connected to household plumbing without permits may be subject to building code enforcement. Improperly maintained barrels creating mosquito breeding habitat may trigger health code response.

Takoma Park is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rainwater harvesting. That said, there are still limits.

Weed Ordinances

Takoma Park bans cosmetic pesticides under the Safe Grow Act (Ordinance 2013-10) -- the first such U.S. municipal ban. Only organic weed control is permitted on private lawns.

Key details: Height Limit: 12 inches maximum for weeds. Pesticide Ban: Safe Grow Act (Ord. 2013-10). Herbicides: Synthetic products prohibited on lawns. Organic Methods: Required for weed control. First in U.S.: First city to ban cosmetic pesticides.

Weed height violations: property maintenance notice with compliance deadline. Pesticide violations under Safe Grow Act: municipal infraction with fines. Commercial lawn care companies applying prohibited products face separate penalties.

Tree Trimming

Takoma Park Code Chapter 12 regulates all tree trimming. Only city-authorized crews may prune public trees. Topping is prohibited on all trees, public and private.

Key details: City Code: Chapter 12 (Trees and Vegetation). Topping: Prohibited on all trees. Public Trees: Only city-authorized work permitted. Tree Commission: Advises on tree policy. Pruning Standard: ANSI A300 best practices.

Unauthorized work on public trees: municipal infraction, fines up to $1,000 per tree. Topping: violation of Chapter 12 with fines. Damage to city trees requires replacement at the violator's expense.

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

The Bottom Line

Takoma Park'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 Takoma Park is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Takoma Park 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.