Landscaping Rules in Winston-Salem, NC

If you live in Winston-Salem or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Winston-Salem has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Tree Trimming

Winston-Salem requires a city permit before anyone prunes, sprays, cables, braces, removes, or otherwise maintains a tree on public right-of-way, including street and sidewalk trees, filed 48 hours ahead with public works.

Key details: Permit required: for pruning street/sidewalk trees. Issuing official: asst. city manager for public works. Lead time: 48 hours before work. Civil penalty: $50.00 per uncorrected violation/day. Utility companies: may get annual master permit.

Working on a right-of-way tree without a permit, or violating permit conditions, draws a notice and order to correct; if not fixed after the order, a $50.00 civil penalty attaches for each violation, with each day of continuing violation counted separately.

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

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Cutting, removing, or damaging a tree on Winston-Salem public property or street right-of-way requires a permit from the assistant city manager for public works, who can order replacement trees at the violator's expense.

Key details: Permit authority: Assistant city manager for public works. Civil penalty: $50.00 per day uncorrected. Application must include: number, species, reason for removal. Replacement: City can require replacement trees. Scope: Public property and rights-of-way only.

Violating the permit or removal rules draws a written notice and correction order; a $50.00 civil penalty accrues per day the violation continues, plus the city's cost of removing or replacing an injured or destroyed tree.

Native Plants

Winston-Salem permits a natural landscape area on a business or residential lot if turf grasses stay at eight inches or less, the planting sits five feet back from property lines, roads and public sidewalks, and it has a border and a city-approved sign. Grasses that will exceed eight inches require registration with the city sustainability department.

Key details: Turf grass height limit: Eight inches maximum. Setback: Five feet from property lines, roads and public sidewalks. Setback waiver: Opaque fence at least four feet high, or abutting similar landscape. Registration: Required for grasses over eight inches; apply to sustainability department. Cure period: 30 days after warning before revocation.

A violation of any natural landscape requirement triggers a warning that gives the registrant 30 days to fix it. If the registrant is not in compliance at the 30-day mark, the city can revoke the registration approval, and the occupant can reapply only after a six-month period. Separately, an unmanaged lot in violation of § 62-2(c) draws a civil penalty of $165.00 or ten percent of the cost of abatement, whichever is greater, assessed by the assistant city manager/public works. Under § 62-3, the owner has five days from the notice date to correct deficiencies before the city abates, and abatement costs become a lien on the property.

Weed Ordinances

Winston-Salem caps grass and weeds at eight inches on residential and business lots citywide, with owners liable for civil penalties and lien-backed abatement costs if they don't cut it themselves.

Key details: Height limit: 8 inches. Civil penalty: $165 or 10% of abatement cost. Abatement crew rate: $165 per crew-hour. Acreage exemption: Lots over 1 acre mostly exempt. Chronic violator trigger: 3 notices in one year.

Civil penalty of $165 or 10% of abatement cost, whichever is greater; unpaid abatement costs (crew and tractor fees) become a lien on the property, collected like unpaid taxes.

The Bottom Line

Winston-Salem'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 Winston-Salem is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Winston-Salem'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.